During the Plenary Session in Strasbourg, President Metsola announced the first appointments to the European Order of Merit. In her address, she said that the extraordinary achievements of these Europeans remind us that people from every walk of life can build Europe on a daily basis.
For the first time, Europe will honour extraordinary Europeans with the European Order of Merit. Europe has always been built by remarkable women and men from across society who had the courage to rise above our turbulent past. Bridging divides, breaking barriers, overthrowing dictatorships and overcoming crises to make a difference to our continent and build a better future. This commitment to building Europe deserves to be celebrated. That is why this Parliament has established the European Order of Merit - to honour those who did not simply believe in Europe, but who helped build it, from civil society and academia, to politicians, to visionaries from the arts, culture and music, to our humanitarians. I would like to thank the President of the European Council and the President of the European Commission, the Heads of State and Government, and the Speakers of national parliaments for putting forward proposals for appointments. And I thank the Selection Committee for their careful deliberation from an outstanding list of candidates. Together, the laureates represent the astonishing diversity of excellence and commitment that advances our Union and promotes our values around the world. It is now my honour to present the inaugural appointments to the European Order of Merit in order of increasing distinction. Appointed as Members of the Order are: • Chef and founder of the NGO World Central Kitchen José Ramón Andrés Puerta • Basketball champion Giannis Antetokounmpo • Professor emeritus Marc Gjidara • Scientist and academic leader Sandra Lejniece • Human rights lawyer and civil society leader Oleksandra Matviychuk • Former Member of the European Parliament and former Commission Vice-President Viviane Reding • Paul David Hewson, known as Bono, along with Adam Charles Clayton, David Howell Evans and Laurence Joseph Mullen Junior, musicians and humanitarian activists known collectively as U2 Appointed as Honourable Members of the Order are: • Former President of Lithuania Valdas Adamkus • Former President of the European Parliament and former Prime Minister of Poland Jerzy Buzek • Former President of Portugal Aníbal Cavaco Silva • Former President of Finland Sauli Niinistö • Cardinal and Secretary of State of the Holy See Pietro Parolin • Former President of Ireland Mary Robinson • President of the Republic of Moldova Maia Sandu • Former Federal Chancellor of Austria Wolfgang Schüssel • Former NATO Secretary General and former EU High Representative Javier Solana y de Madariaga • Former President of the European Central Bank Jean-Claude Trichet Appointed as Distinguished Members of the Order are: • Former Federal Chancellor of Germany Angela Merkel • Former President of the Republic of Poland Lech Wałęsa • President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy The extraordinary achievements of these laureates remind us that every person across all walks of society can make a difference to Europe. Shaping our Union, upholding our values and building a better future for Europeans. The ceremony of conferral will take place during our May part-session, and I count on all of you to join me in honouring Europe’s laureates. I now invite you to stand for the European anthem performed by members of the European Youth Orchestra.