Moldovan president among honorary members of European Order of Merit – award provided for significant contributions to promotion, defense of European values

President Maia Sandu is among the honorary members of the European Order of Merit. The names of the first laureates, who have made significant contributions to European integration, were announced by European Parliament President Roberta Metsola in Strasbourg today.

European Parliament President Roberta Metsola emphasized that the laureates of the new European Order of Merit had made an important contribution to the promotion and defense of European values.

“These Europeans embody the remarkable diversity of excellence and commitment that moves Europe forward and strengthens its position across the globe. Their extraordinary achievements remind us that people from all walks of life can build Europe day by day, shape our Union and defend our common values. Europe has always been built by people: overcoming divisions, removing barriers, overturning dictatorships and overcoming crises for a better future for our continent. This European commitment deserves to be recognized. Through the European Order of Merit, we pay tribute to those who have not only believed in Europe, but have actively contributed to building it,” Roberta Metsola underlined.

The announced laureates were chosen by a selection committee composed of President Metsola, European Parliament Vice-President Sophie Wilmès and Ewa Kopacz, Michel Barnier, José Manuel Barroso, Josep Borrell and Enrico Letta, all prominent European figures. The nominations were proposed by heads of state or government, presidents of national parliaments and presidents of EU institutions.

Thus, Angela Merkel, former Federal Chancellor of Germany, Lech Wałęsa, former Solidarnosc leader and former President of Poland, as well as the President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, have been named distinguished members of the European Order of Merit.

In addition, Valdas Adamkus, former President of Lithuania, Jerzy Buzek, former Prime Minister of Poland and former President of the European Parliament, Aníbal Cavaco Silva, former President and Prime Minister of Portugal, Sauli Niinistö, former President of Finland and former Speaker of the Parliament of Finland, Pietro Parolin, Cardinal and Secretary of State of the Holy See, Mary Robinson, former President of Ireland and former UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Maia Sandu, President of Moldova, Javier Solana y de Madariaga, former EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Wolfgang Schüssel, former Federal Chancellor of Austria and Jean-Claude Trichet, former President of the European Central Bank, have been named honorary members of the European Order of Merit.

At the same time, José Andrés, chef and founder of the NGO “World Central Kitchen”, Giannis Antetokounmpo, basketball player, Marc Gjidara, lawyer and scholar, Sandra Lejniece, doctor, 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, Paul David Hewson, known as Bono, David Howell Evans, Adam Charles Clayton, and Laurence Joseph Mullen Jr., musicians and members of the band U2, have been named members of the European Order of Merit.

Last year, on the occasion of the 75th anniversary of the Schuman Declaration, the Bureau of the European Parliament ruled to establish the first European distinction of this kind awarded by an EU institution – a civilian honor to recognize the achievements of individuals who have made a significant contribution to European integration or to the promotion and defense of European values. Each year, up to 20 laureates may be appointed.

The laureates designated this year will be invited to an official award ceremony, which will take place during the plenary session held in Strasbourg on May 18-21, 2026.