Researcher of Maastricht University wins Von der Gablentz prize

He received the award for his dissertation on “The Role of the Council Secretariat and the European Commission in EU Foreign Policy”, which he defended cum laude in 2011. In this study, he sheds a light on the institutional development and daily practice of foreign policy cooperation in the European Union.

Dr. Hylke Dijkstra received the award in The Hague on 18 April during a ceremony presided over by former Prime Minister Wim Kok. The award was presented to him by Europe Minister Ben Knapen. During the same ceremony, the President of the European Council, Herman van Rompuy, also received an award for his contribution to European politics.

The Otto von der Gablentz Academic Prize is a Dutch award. It is given biennially to a young scholar who has made a significant contribution to the field of European integration or Dutch-German relations. The prize is named after the late ambassador Von der Gablentz, who was the representative of the Federal Republic of Germany in The Netherlands during the 1980s. Von der Gablentz was also closely involved in the process of European integration as a diplomat and as the Rector of the College of Europe. The prize consists of a certificate and € 2.500.

Following the announcement of the award, Dr. Hylke Dijkstra stated that “it is a very great honour to receive this prestigious prize. Ambassador Von der Gablentz was a key figure in EU foreign policy during the 1970s and has been a supporter of European integration ever since”.