Pierpaolo Barbieri : Nobel Peace Prize awarded to European Union stirred controversy . Among over 10,000 entries , the winner was Reijn Dirksen , then barely 25 years old . He says the EU helps ensure peace after a century of war and dictatorship . Europe is the world 's largest market , offering an arena for trade and commerce , he says . Hide Caption 1 of 10 Photos:Photos: Europe financial crisis reveals need for reform , but EU is still worth having .
Pierpaolo Barbieri : Nobel Peace Prize awarded to European Union stirred controversy . He says the EU helps ensure peace after a century of war and dictatorship . Europe is the world 's largest market , offering an arena for trade and commerce , he says . Hide Caption 1 of 10 Photos:Photos: Europe financial crisis reveals need for reform , but EU is still worth having .