Nelson Mandela is one of the world's most revered statesmen. He led the struggle to replace the apartheid regime of South Africa by a multi-racial democracy. Sentenced to life in prison, he spent 27 years in jail before becoming the country's first black President. He played a leading role in the drive for peace.He is laureate of the 1988 Sakharov Prize and of the 1993 Nobel Peace Prize®.This video illustrates the relations between Nelson Mandela and the European institutions.

EU - South Africa (T)

Sakharov Prize for freedom of thought 1988 (T)

MANDELA, Nelson (ZA)

Nelson Mandela and the European institutions

October 1993, Brussels - Nelson Mandela, 1988 Sakharov Prize Laureate (3 shots)

On 11 February 1990, Nelson Mandela is freed after 27 years spent in jail; On 13 June 1990, he is received for the first time in Strasbourg by Jacques Delors, President of the CEC, and Manuel Mar&iacute;n, Vice-President of the CEC in charge of Cooperation and Development and Fisheries (4 shots)

June 1990, Brussels - Official visit of Nelson Mandela to the European Parliament : arrival, handshake with Enrique Bar&oacute;n Crespo, President of the EP, and statement (in ENGLISH): friends, ladies and gentlemen, we feel truly honoured and privileged as we stand at the podium of so distinguished a Chamber of democratic government and peaceful international cooperation as the seat of the European Parliament. (11 shots)

10 June 1991, Brussels - Nelson Mandela is received at the CEC by Jacques Delors, President of the CEC (4 shots)

8 October 1993, Brussels - Nelson Mandela is received at the CEC by Jacques Delors, President of the CEC, and Manuel Mar&iacute;n, Vice-President of the CEC in charge of Cooperation and Development and Fisheries (6 shots)

Statement by Nelson Mandela (in ENGLISH) saying that the South African Defence Force has no right to kill people; there are legal means of protecting people; this is an act of thuggery and pure terrorism which was strongly condemned.

Nelson Mandela about to leave, cheered by Kenyans and Ghanaians (3 shots)

October 1993, Brussels - EU/ACP (African, Caribbean and Pacific countries) meeting - Arrival of Nelson Mandela in plenary session (14 shots)

16 October 2001, Brussels - Nelson Mandela, Burundi peace process mediator, is welcomed by Romano Prodi, President of the EC (3 shots)

Statement by Nelson Mandela (in ENGLISH): we are on the verge of reaching a breakthrough which will lead to permanent peace and stability in a country where 250.000 people, mostly innocent civilians, have been slaughtered; we feel that we are now on the verge of saving those people, women, children, the aged, the disabled who have been slaughtered; and the support we have received from Mister Prodi is going to put us in a position to save thousands of people from this senseless violence; so I thank Mister Prodi a great deal. (2 shots)