‘In contrast to the Council of Ministers, the Commission, in its whole construction, is a supranational and integrated body. […] Purely due to its function this independent body is designated to carry the great work of unification forward. […] It is the first time that the Charlemagne Prize is not being awarded to a person but to a committee. We believe this, with the clear commitment of this combined bestowal, to be an answer appropriate to the needs of our time.’