The European Institute Honors Christine Lagarde, Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund and Dr. Elias Zerhouni, President of Global R&D, Sanofi with the Prestigious Transatlantic Leadership Award

WASHINGTON, Dec. 5, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- The European Institute presented today its highest recognition, the Transatlantic Leadership Award, to Christine Lagarde, Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund and to Dr. Elias Zerhouni, President of Global R&D, Sanofi and former director of the U.S. National Institutes of Health, at the annual Ambassadors Gala Dinner in Washington, D.C.

As the leading Washington-based, public-policy organization devoted solely to transatlantic affairs, The European Institute has pursued a goal of maintaining and renewing U.S.-European relations to respond to new challenges. The Transatlantic Leadership Award recognizes leaders who have demonstrated uncommon commitment to the renewal of the transatlantic relationship.  

"We are delighted to honor two exceptional individuals with The European Institute's Transatlantic Leadership Award for their vision and exemplary achievements, which testify to both the importance and continued vibrancy of the unique and vital relationship between Europe and the United States," said Jacqueline Grapin, Founder and Chairman of the Board of the European Institute.

The Honorable Christine Lagarde, Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund, is the former Minister of Finance and Economy of France (2007-2011), and former Chairman and President of the global strategic committee of Baker & McKenzie in Chicago. Mme. Lagarde was central to the G-20s management of the financial crisis, pushing international policies to strengthen financial supervision and regulation, and further more effective global economic governance. In this time of uncommon economic turmoil, Mme. Lagarde's leadership has been a beacon of consistency and clarity and has incontestably spurred both sides of the Atlantic to seek common ground in forging a path towards sustainable recovery and growth. Mme. Lagarde was named Chevalier in the French Legion d'honneur in 2000.

The Honorable Elias Zerhouni is recognized for his tireless efforts in translational medical innovation for the benefit of public health. A native of Algeria, Dr. Zerhouni's pioneering work at Johns Hopkins University's School of Medicine helped set new global imaging standards. He founded numerous start-up companies based on his research and inventions, before being appointed NIH Director in 2002. In 2008, Dr. Zerhouni was awarded the title of Chevalier in the French Legion d'honneur. Named one of President Barack Obama's first science envoys, Dr. Zerhouni was recently appointed Chair of Innovation at the College de France and elected to membership at the French Academy of Medicine in 2010.

"In a more challenging economic environment than ever, it is critical that the links between our continents and nations are strengthened," declared Christopher A. Viehbacher, Chief Executive Officer of Sanofi and Chair of the Host Committee. "In order to improve the new challenges arising, including the global healthcare landscape, I am totally convinced that the way we will reinvent innovation will be essential in the future."

Founded in 1989, The European Institute is the leading non-partisan public policy organization in Washington D.C. dedicated exclusively to European-American Relations. Past recipients of the Transatlantic Leadership Award include U.S. Senators Joseph R. Biden and Chuck Hagel; The Honorable Jose Manuel Barroso, President of the European Commission; The Honorable Madeleine K. Albright, U.S. Secretary of State; The Honorable Jacques Barrot, European Commission Vice-President; The Honorable Michael Chertoff, U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security; The Honorable Pascal Lamy, Director General of the WTO; The Honorable Javier Solana, Secretary General of the Council of the European Union; and Lord Robertson, Secretary General of NATO.

Media Contact: Sarah Lemmons (202) 895-1670, [email protected]  

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