The award comes at a surprise at a time when European solidarity is facing its most daunting challenge in decades amid deep rifts between a south drowning in debt and a wealthier north, led by Germany, only reluctantly coming to the rescue.

Whether or not that begrudging assistance will keep the European project afloat remains to be seen, but the deep crisis has broadened the gulf already felt between citizens in the different member states and a Brussels long seen as too distant and bureaucratic.

But the creation of the organisation is credited with helping to bring peace and stability to the war-torn continentby bringing together arch-enemies France and Germany and herding them down the same path. Despite recurring difficulties, the EU has become the biggest common market in the world, allowing free circulation of goods, people, services and capital.

Over the years, the pioneering project has swelled toencompass 27 countries which not long ago sat on either side of the "Iron Curtain".