Europe Prize for Gdynia

The Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe in Strasbourg awarded Gdynia the Europe Prize 2002. The decision was made unanimously at the April meeting in Strasbourg by the Committee of Environment and Agriculture being within the structures of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe and consisting of representatives from 44 countries.

The award was created in 1955 and is the highest distinction that may be bestowed to a European city or to a territorial government for their European activity. The award consists of a trophy, medal, diploma and a scholarship to fund a study visit of young people from the winning city.

In the justification the Committee explained that Gdynia is a dynamic city located in the Baltic Sea Region. For many years it has promoted a modern and dynamic Europe through numerous partnership contacts and participation in many organizations and institutions. Due to 12 European twinnings (Plymouth, Kiel, Aalborg, Kotka, Karlskrona, Kristiansand, Klaipeda, Baranovichi, Kaliningrad, Liepaja, Kunda and Vilnius Region) and 2 American ones (Brooklyn and Seattle), Gdynia initiated international cooperation and created the Baltic Ring of Gdynia Twin Cities, establishing thus special bonds. Gdynia's activity in international organizations was also highly evaluated, particularly that within the Union of the Baltic Cities and Euroregion Baltic.

It is worth mentioning that in 1996 Gdynia received the Council of Europe Flag of Honour and in 1998 the Council of Europe Plaque of Honour.

The ceremony of presenting Europe Prize to Gdynia was held on 28^th of September in the Music Theatre. The award was presented to the Mayor of Gdynia - Wojciech Szczurek by the Chairman of the Sub-Committee on Europe Prize, Mrs Johanna Schicker.