It is always a particular pleasure for me to participate in the annual award ceremony of the North-South Prize of the Council of Europe.

This pleasure springs from witnessing the recognition of these notable personalities who have distinguished themselves with their contribution to the defence of freedom, peace, tolerance and respect for human rights, which are the values that inspire the work of the Council of Europe and North-South Centre.

This year's prize is no exception. Both Ms Souhayr Belhassen and President Boris Tadic, in different contexts, have set in motion a dynamic of democratic progress and recognition of the individual rights and freedoms of their compatriots with effects that go beyond the borders of their countries of origin.

Ms Belhassen is a writer and journalist whose has used her words to give voice to those who have no way of making themselves heard. Her refusal to accept violations of fundamental rights and freedoms in her native land of Tunisia and especially her relentless fight to eliminate all forms of discrimination against women resulted in her persecution, expulsion and several years in exile.

Instead of allowing her voice to be silenced, she spoke out even louder and gained strength and international recognition of a number of causes associated with respect for and the promotion of human rights.

The social and political changes that have been taking place in the neighbouring southern Mediterranean countries owe a lot to people like Ms Belhassen, for whom the enjoyment of freedom and pluralism of opinions, however difficult the circumstances, will always be an unalienable right and an act of citizenship.

Mr Belhassen currently runs the International Federation for Human Rights and leads the Arab women's movement in the defence of democracy, dignity and equal treatment in society and before the law. She is a signatory of the recent Arab Women's Petition for Dignity and Equality.

Ms Belhassen has learned the cost of freedom and the fight for democracy from experience and her life has been an example of the universal dimension of the defence of human rights. It is that remarkable career that this prize acknowledges.

The second prize winner, President Boris Tadic, has also had a long career of fighting for freedom, democracy and the recognition of human rights.

Since his youth, he has been an active militant against authoritarianism and the defence of a culture of tolerance, pluralism and respect for individual liberties. His contribution to regional dialogue and reconciliation and his promotion of peace, stability and security have required a personal and political courage that are worthy of our recognition and admiration.

The convictions that have always guided him are also very clear in the way in which President Tadic has committed to Serbia's European vocation.

In a setting of great political difficulties, it is thanks to President Tadic's courage that his country's cooperation with the International Criminal Court has been strengthened and that a series of reforms have ended Serbia's isolation and started it on a path to European and Euro-Atlantic integration.

President Tadic's example shows us that, when settling differences, it is always possible to choose peace rather than war, dialogue rather than confrontation and tolerance rather than persecution.

These are often difficult choices as they require special courage, determination and a sense of responsibility to society and future generations.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

At each North-South Prize ceremony, we not only confirm our commitment to the founding values and principles of the North-South Centre and Council of Europe, but also the importance of promoting these values at a time when new sources of instability are emerging.

The popular uprisings that broke out in 2011 and brought about a series of changes in the countries of North Africa and the Middle East raised awareness of the degree of interdependence in the world today. It is everyone's duty to share the Council of Europe's fundamental values, support the current processes of change and help to build societies where citizens can freely exercise their rights and aspire to freedom and wellbeing.

In this scenario, the North-South Centre is called upon to play a more necessary, up-to-date role than ever as the Council of Europe's instrument in promoting a new, closer partnership between the north and south banks of the Mediterranean.

On this subject, I would like to welcome to this ceremony some of the highest officials of the Council of Europe. I regard their presence as proof of the North-South Centre's importance and of the commitment of all its Member States to stepping up its role and mission.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

The achievements of the two personalities that we are honouring with the North-South Prize today strengthen our conviction that a better, fairer world is possible.

On behalf of this aspiration, I would like to thank you for the inspiring example that you have set for all of us. And I would also like to thank the Council of Europe for its wisdom in recognising it.

Thank you very much.