Awarding the European Union the 2012 Nobel Peace Prize is "a wonderful decision," says German Chancellor Angela Merkel.<br/> <br />(SOUNDBITE) (German) GERMAN CHANCELLOR, ANGELA MERKEL, SAYING:<br/> <br />"Six decades of peace in Europe is a long time for us who live in the European Union, yet in history, it's only a blink of an eye. That's why we must never forget that in order to keep this peace, democracy and freedom, we have to work hard over and over again."<br/> <br />The leader of Europe's largest economy added that the award was also "a personal incentive and a duty at the same time."<br/> <br />But some are not convinced.<br/> <br />Russian Peace Prize nominees and human rights campaigners Lyudmila Alexeyeva and Svetlana Gannushkina criticised the decision after hearing it broadcast on television.<br/> <br />(SOUNDBITE) (Russian) RUSSIAN HUMAN RIGHTS CAMPAIGNER AND NOBEL PEACE PRIZE NOMINEE LYUDMILA ALEXEYEVA, SAYING:<br/> <br />"The European Union is certainly a very respected, needed and useful organisation, but I don't understand how the prize can be awarded to such a big organisation. To me, the prize should be given not to state activity, but to citizens or public organisations."<br/> <br />Both women thought the prize would have had more impact if given to an individual or smaller organisation working for human rights.<br/> <br />The committee received 231 nominations this year, including 43 organizations.
