by
Thea Pieridou
Head of the European Parliament Office in Cyprus
The European Order of Merit is a political distinction established by the European Parliament, aimed at recognizing, at the European level, individuals who have made substantial contributions to European integration or to the promotion and defense of the values of the European Union, thereby highlighting values such as peace, democracy, and human dignity.
The President of the European Parliament, Roberta Metsola, unveiled the names of the first recipients of the newly established European Order of Merit. “Europe has always been built by its people—those who bridge differences, break down walls, overthrow dictatorships, and overcome crises with the aim of a better future for our continent. This European commitment deserves to be celebrated. With the European Order of Merit, we honor those who not only believed in Europe but helped build it,” said President Metsola.
Nominations can be submitted by: the Presidents of EU institutions, Heads of State or Government of Member States, and Presidents of national parliaments. The awardees (up to 20 each year) are selected by a special committee, consisting of: the President of the European Parliament, two Vice-Presidents of the European Parliament, and four prominent European personalities.
2026 Awardees:
Distinguished Members of the European Order of Merit
• Angela Merkel, former Federal Chancellor of Germany
• Lech Wałęsa, former leader of the “Solidarność” union and former President of Poland
• Volodymyr Zelensky, President of Ukraine
Honorable Members of the European Order of Merit
• 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 President of the Finnish Parliament
• Pietro Parolin, Cardinal and Vatican Secretary of State
• Mary Robinson, former President of Ireland and former UN High Commissioner for Human Rights
• Maia Sandu, President of the Republic of Moldova
• Javier Solana y de Madariaga, former EU High Representative for Common Foreign and Security Policy
• Wolfgang Schüssel, former Chancellor of Austria
• Jean-Claude Trichet, former President of the European Central Bank
Members of the European Order of Merit
• José Andrés, chef and founder of the NGO “World Central Kitchen”
• Giannis Antetokounmpo, basketball player
• Marc Gjidara, lawyer and researcher
• Sandra Lejniece, physician, scientist, and academic
• Oleksandra Matviichuk, human rights lawyer
• Viviane Reding, former Vice-President of the European Commission, former Luxembourg MP, and former MEP
• Bono (along with The Edge, Adam Clayton, and Larry Mullen Jr., known as the band U2)
The award ceremony will take place during the European Parliament plenary session from 18 to 21 May 2026 in Strasbourg.
