Finland’s ex-president and United Nations envoy Martti Ahtisaari has been awarded this year’s Nobel Peace Prize for his efforts to build a lasting peace from Africa and Asia to Europe and the Middle East.
The award includes a gift of $1.3 million. His international prominence as a UN diplomat helped him win the first direct election in 1994 to become the Finnish president.
Also Read : Why Was Gandhi Never Awarded the Nobel Peace Prize?
Under his presidency, Finland entered the European Union and adopted the euro.
Critics say the secretive, five-member panel missed a golden opportunity to reward Chinese dissidents and highlight human rights abuses in China in the year Beijing basked in the glory of the Olympic Games.
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David
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