Emmanuel Macron was elected in May

French President Emmanuel Macron has been awarded a prestigious German prize for contributions to European unity in recognition of his "vision of a new Europe".

The International Charlemagne Prize is awarded annually by the city of Aachen, near the Belgian and Dutch borders.

Previous winners include former US president Bill Clinton and popes Francis and John Paul II.

Friday's citation pointed to Mr Macron's "vision of a new Europe and of the re-establishment of the European project, of a new European sovereignty and a close, restructured co-operation between peoples and nations".

It said Mr Macron's election in May "proved once again that Europe is indeed capable of generating enthusiasm".

The prize ceremony is held in May in Aachen, from where the Holy Roman emperor Charlemagne once ruled a swathe of western Europe.

AP

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