The European Parliament on Tuesday honoured the first recipients of the newly established European Order of Merit, recognising prominent political leaders, activists, academics

and cultural figures for their contributions to European integration and the defence of EU values.

The ceremony, held in the Parliament’s hemicycle in Strasbourg, marked the inaugural conferral of the distinction, created ahead of the 75th anniversary of the Schuman Declaration. Thirteen of the first 20 laureates attended the event and addressed lawmakers after receiving the award from European Parliament President Roberta Metsola and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.

In her opening remarks, Metsola said the European project had been built through “solidarity over division and cooperation over self-interest,” stressing that each generation must continue defending the Union.

Among the distinguished members present in Strasbourg were former German Chancellor Angela Merkel and former Polish President and Solidarność leader Lech Wałęsa.

Other honoured figures attending the ceremony included former Polish Prime Minister and former European Parliament President Jerzy Buzek, former Portuguese President Aníbal Cavaco Silva, Vatican Secretary of State Pietro Parolin, Moldovan President Maia Sandu, former Austrian Chancellor Wolfgang Schüssel, former EU foreign policy chief Javier Solana and former European Central Bank President Jean-Claude Trichet.

The Order also recognised figures from civil society and academia, including human rights lawyer Oleksandra Matviichuk, legal scholar Marc Gjidara, physician and scientist Sandra Lejniece and former European Commission Vice-President Viviane Reding.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy was also admitted as a distinguished member of the Order. Additional recipients include former Lithuanian President Valdas Adamkus, former Finnish President Sauli Niinistö and former Irish President Mary Robinson.

The list of laureates extended beyond politics to include humanitarian chef José Andrés, basketball star Giánnis Antetokoúnmpo and Irish rock band U2, including members Bono, The Edge, Adam Clayton and Larry Mullen Jr..

The European Order of Merit is the first distinction of its kind established by an EU institution and aims to honour individuals who have made exceptional contributions to European unity, democracy and shared values. Photo by europarl.europa.eu