By Martha Moss - 4th November 2009
Former European parliament president Hans-Gert Pöttering was one of 13 MEP award winners recognised for their outstanding achievements at a ceremony in Brussels.
Speaking at the Parliament Magazine's MEP awards ceremony at the Stanhope hotel in Brussels on Tuesday, Pöttering - parliament's longest continually serving deputy - said, "I'm very happy to receive this award.
"I've worked for 30 years in the European parliament, working for unification of our continent and this award is one expression of that."
The MEP award ceremony in Brussels came as Czech president Václav Klaus signed the Lisbon treaty, clearing the final hurdle to ratification.
Pöttering said, "It is a very good symbol that this collaboration takes place today, when we got the last signature on the Lisbon treaty.
"I've worked for the treaty for nine years and today marks a great success. We have every reason to believe in our continent."
He added, "I may not be president of parliament any longer but that has not stopped my engagement with the European project.
"My big personal ambition for the next five years is to establish a museum of European history, not least because nothing like it exists at present."
The other winners were:
• Agriculture Agnes Schierhuber: EPP Austrian
• Culture & Education Doris Pack: EPP German
• Development Filip Kaczmarek: EPP Polish
• Economic & Monetary Affairs Jean-Paul Gauzès: EPP French
• Employment & Social Affairs Alejandro Cercas: S&D Spanish
• Environment Amalia Sartori: EPP Italian
• Energy Eija-Riitta Korhola: EPP Finnish
• Health Françoise Grossetête: EPP French
• Justice & Civil Liberties Sophia In 't Veld: ALDE Dutch
• Research & Innovation Pia Elda Locatelli: S&D Italian
• Trade Frieda Brepoels: Belgian Greens/EFA
• Transport Saïd El Khadraoui: Belgian S&D
Trade winner Frieda Brepoels said it was a "great honour" to receive the award, while Françoise Grossetete, who was awarded the gong for health said it had come as "a big surprise".
"I intend to devote all my energies to work for the good of patient care in Europe," she said.
Accepting her award for research, Pia Elda Locatelli said she was "naturally happy" but called for more investment in research, Filip Kaczmarek expressed his hope for development cooperation between member states.
Finnish winner Eija-Riitta Korhola said, "I am honoured and humbled. They say it's the taking part that matters, not winning. That is, unless you win."
A statement read by ALDE MEP Marietje Schaake on behalf of Sophia In 't Veld said, "I'm very proud and honoured with this award. It is not just for me but puts the spotlight on this area."
Over 300 guests turned out on the night for the awards, which are now in their fifth year and were sponsored by the European Patent Office.
Catherine Stihler, the Parliament Magazine's MEP editor, said, "It is important for members to be recognised for their achievements.
"If we don't recognise an MEP's efforts, then no-one will. The majority of MEPs are hardworking and committed individuals and their contributions should be honoured in tonight's awards."
The Parliament Magazine's managing editor Brian Johnson said, "The awards aim to recognise the hard work of those MEPs who have made significant contributions in their field.
"I am delighted that so many MEPs turned out to vote this year. With a new parliament, now is the time to celebrate the achievements of those working tirelessly to ensure citizens' interests are represented in the EU."
Launching the awards ceremony, Oswald Schröder the principal director of the European Patent Office (EPO) told those attending that the importance of intellectual property had "changed out of all recognition" in the last 30 years since the EPO was established shortly before the first direct elections to the European parliament in 1979.
"Since then, the EPO has become one of, if not the most important, pillar on which our economy is built. The EPO is well aware of the responsibility which accompanies this evolution," said Schröder.
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