Awarding the primary European Order of Merit distinctions
The European Parliament is hosting the European Order of Merit ceremony live from Strasbourg. In this inaugural ceremony, laureates will be recognised for their significant contribution to European integration and the promotion and defence of European values.
Thirteen of the first 20 laureates are attending the ceremony and each laureate will be given the floor to speak after receiving their distinction.
The following are in attendance:
– Angela Merkel, former Federal Chancellor of Germany
– Lech Wałęsa, former leader of Solidarność and former President of Poland
– Jerzy Buzek, former Prime Minister of Poland and former President of the European Parliament
– Aníbal Cavaco Silva, former President and Prime Minister of Portugal
– Pietro Parolin, Cardinal and Secretary of State of the Holy See
– Maia Sandu, President of the Republic of Moldova
– Wolfgang Schüssel, former Federal Chancellor of Austria
– Javier Solana, former EU High Representative for the Common Foreign and Security Policy
– Jean-Claude Trichet, former President of the European Central Bank
– Marc Gjidara, lawyer and scholar
– Sandra Lejniece, physician, scientist and academic leader
– Oleksandra Matviichuk, human rights lawyer
– Viviane Reding, former Vice-President of the European Commission, former Member of the Chamber of Deputies of Luxembourg and former Member of the European Parliament
Ahead of the 75th anniversary of the Schuman Declaration, the European Parliament’s Bureau decided to establish the first European distinction of its kind granted by an EU Institution, to honour the achievements of individuals who have made significant contributions to European integration and to the promotion and defence of European values.
