Giannis Antetokounmpo will be among the first 20 to be honored with the European Order of Merit by the EU

The President of the European Parliament, Roberta Metsola, today revealed the names of the first recipients of the newly established European Order of Merit, a recognition for their significant contribution and the promotion and defense of European values.

“Europe has always been built by people. Bridging gaps, breaking barriers, overthrowing dictatorships and overcoming crises for a better future for our continent. This European commitment deserves to be honored. With the European Order of Merit, we honor those who not only believed in Europe, but helped to build it,” said President Metsola when announcing the first recipients, among whom is Giannis Antetokounmpo.

The names of the first laureates of the European Order of Merit have been announced.

The European Parliament recognises the achievements of the laureates who have made outstanding contributions to European integration and the promotion of EU values ​
The announced winners were chosen by the Order's selection committee, which is composed of President Metsola, European Parliament Vice-Presidents Sophie Wilmès and Eva Koppage, as well as Michel Barnier, José Manuel Barroso, Josep Borrell and Enrico Letta. The nominations for the laureates came from heads of state or government, presidents of national parliaments and presidents of EU institutions.

Among the first to be awarded will be Angela Merkel (former Chancellor of Germany), Lech Walesa (former President of the Republic of Poland) and Volodymyr Zelensky (President of Ukraine).

At the same time, the following were announced as Distinguished Members of the European Order of Merit: Valdas Adamkus (former President of Lithuania), Jiri Buzek (former Prime Minister of Poland and former President of the European Parliament), Anibal Cavaco Silva (former President and Prime Minister of Portugal), Sauli Niinisto (former President of Finland and former President of the Parliament of Finland), Pietro Parolin (Cardinal and Secretary of the Holy See), Mary Robinson (former President of Ireland and former United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights), Maia Sandu (President of the Republic of Moldova), Javier Solana (former EU High Representative for the Common Foreign and Security Policy), Wolfgang Sussel (former Chancellor of Austria) and Jean-Claude Trichet (former President of the European Central Bank).

Finally, the following were announced as Honorary Members of the European Order of Merit: José Andrés (chef and founder of the NGO "World Central Kitchen"), Giannis Antetokounmpo, Mark Guidara (lawyer and academic), Sandra Leinitse (doctor, scientist and academic leader), Oleksandra Matviychuk (human rights lawyer), Viviane Reding (former Vice-President of the European Commission, former member of the Luxembourg House of Representatives, former member of the European Parliament) and Paul David Hewson (known as Bono), David Howell Evans, Adam Charles Clayton and Lawrence Joseph Malin Jr., musicians and members of the band U2.