Boris Rhein, Parliament President of the German state of Hesse, presented Monday the 2020 Hessian Peace Prize to Prime Minister Zoran Zaev and former Greek PM Alexis Tsipras.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the peace prize of the Albert Osswald Foundation was presented at an online ceremony, the Government said in a press release.

PM Zaev will donate the prize money in the amount of EUR 25,000 to the Solidarity Fund for assistance and support in the fight against COVID-19.

“We honor two individuals who led a campaign of peace and international understanding, managing to solve a conflict that had deep historical roots,” said Rhein in the address.

He added that Zaev and Tsipras achieved a true diplomatic triumph.

“Without them, the name dispute would have continued to destabilize the entire Balkan region. The solution opened North Macedonia’s path as a NATO ally and EU partner,” noted Rhein.

He said the Prespa Agreement also sent a message to the globe that respect and compromise, peace and stability still exist in today’s world.

Hessian Peace Prize board member Nicole Deitelhoff, Executive Director of the Peace Research Institute Frankfurt (PRIF), said Zaev and Tsipras made concessions from the maximalist positions and the perception of an agreement as defeat or treason.

“In doing so, they put their political careers at stake and had to negotiate numerous compromises and concessions in their parliaments. The agreement is a model for reconciliation of the region and Europe as a whole,” said Deitelhoff.

The Hessian Peace Prize was founded on 16 October 1993 by the former Prime Minister of the state of Hesse, Albert Osswald, and his foundation. The Hessian Peace Prize is awarded to individuals who have rendered outstanding service to furthering mutual understanding among nations and peace.