Serbian President Boris Tadic has been presented with the Steiger Award in Bochum yesterday, which is given for the contribution to the European unity, openness and tolerance.

The award is being presented for the sixth time, for contribution in the area of music, sports, media, preservation of the environment, film, Europe, that is improvement of the European unity and humanitarian engagement.

The creator of the award, which is given to most deserving people from Germany and the rest of the world, is journalist Sascha Hellen from Bochum.

Apart from Tadic, this year the award will be given to the wife of German President Horst Kohler, Eva Luise Kohler, Professor Alfred Biolek, Princess of Jordan Haya of Jordan, German actor Armin Mueller-Stahl, actor Christopher Lee, and others. The winners will be presented with the award at the ceremony in Bochum, on Saturday, March 13.

So far, this award was received by Israeli President Shimon Peres, former Director General of International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Mohamed El Baradei, Afghanistan President Hamid Karzai, former German foreign minister Hans-Dietrich Genscher, German actress Iris Berben, Farah Diba Pahlavi (widow of Mohammad-Reza Pahlavi, the last Shah of Iran), Romano Prodi, former Polish President Aleksander Kwasniewski.

While receiving the "Steiger" award for promotion of European unity in the German town of Bochum, Serbian President Boris Tadic said that inclusion of the West Balkan countries in the EU must be in the interest of all Europeans.

Tadic said that this award is recognition to all the citizens of Serbia for commitment to European values.

"Serbia is fully committed to peace and stability in the region, and throughout Europe. Our view is that all the problems in the former Yugoslavia and regional challenges, including those in our province of Kosovo and Metohija, must be resolved in a peaceful and democratic manner", said Tadic.

He stated that, regardless of when a positive response to the candidacy for EU membership will be received, Serbia will intensify social and economic reforms, establishment of a society based on solidarity, as well as the insistence on respect for human and minority rights.

While paying respects to late Prime Minister Zoran Djindjic, Tadic emphasized that he was killed seven years ago precisely because he believed that his country has no other way except the one that leads towards the EU.