German President Steinmeier receives Kissinger Prize

German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier has been awarded the Henry Kissinger Prize for his services to trans-Atlantic relations, reported dpa.

The politician accepted the award from the Berlin American Academy late on Wednesday in New York.

Former US secretary of state Condoleezza Rice gave the laudatory speech for the 66-year-old. Kissinger, 99, also honoured Steinmeier - but via video message due to a coronavirus infection.

"This award ceremony is taking place in difficult, even dangerous times," Steinmeier said in his acceptance speech, referring in particular to the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

Nevertheless, he said, he hoped that even in the 21st century "the ideas of freedom and democracy will continue to shine."

The prize, named after former US secretary of state Kissinger, has been awarded annually since 2007. Previous winners include former German chancellors Helmut Schmidt and Helmut Kohl as well as former US President George HW Bush.