BRUSSELS (EJP)---The European Jewish Association (EJA) on Friday congratulated the European Union on being awarded the 2012 Nobel Peace Prize but at the same time stressed that "violence against minorities across the Continent jeopardizes personal safety and public stability in many countries, just as much as the ongoing financial crisis."

In a letter to the Presidents of the European Parliament,  the European Commission and the European Council, respectively Martin Schultz, Jose Manuel Barroso and Herman Van Rompuy, European Jewish Association (EJA), Director, Rabbi Menachem Margolin, hailed their European leadership.

Based in Brussels, EJA is a body uniting various Jewish organizations working all over Europe. 

"There is no doubt that the European Union has made a crucial contribution in imposing peace among countries all over Europe", he wrote.

Rabbi Margolin called on the EU leaders to look at the Nobel Peace Prize not only as a sign of gratitude for what has been accomplished "but mostly as a significant source of inspiration for increasing the European Union role in maintaining peace and for eliminating all types of violence against all cultural and ethnic groups living in Europe."

"As long as governments fail to safeguard the basic right of all citizens to live in peace according to their beliefs, the European Union cannot truly feel proud for being awarded such an important prize, that was mainly awarded to prase the EU for  appeasement, democracy and human rights activities", the EJA Director wrote. 

Rabbi Margolin urged the European Union’s leaders to convene a joint special  discussion in the European Parliament,  the Commission and the Council regarding the anti-Semitic attacks and other violent acts against diverse ethnic populations living in Europe.