The Sakharov Prize
The Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought is awarded annually by the European Parliament to individuals or citizens' organisations around the world who fight for human rights and democracy. Cox presented the 2002 Prize to Oswaldo José Payá Sardiñas from Cuba and the 2003 Prize to the United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan and the staff of the UN.
The 2003 Sakharov Prize is awarded to the UN and its President Kofi Annan. L-R: Kofi Annan, Pat Cox © European Union, 2003
The Berlusconi-Schulz confrontation
The widely-covered confrontation between then-Prime Minster of Italy Silvio Berlusconi and former German MEP Martin Schulz during a plenary debate at the beginning of the Italian presidency of the EU was a significant moment during the Cox presidency. In the above interview, Cox relates his memory of this event, and the ensuing response of the Commission of Presidents.
