Internationally acclaimed basketball star Giannis Antetokounmpo is among the first laureates of the newly established European Order of Merit, announced Tuesday in Strasbourg by European Parliament President Roberta Metsola.
Antetokounmpo joins a diverse group of scholars, lawyers, scientists, academics, musicians, chefs and political leaders recognized for their contributions to European integration and the defence of European values.
“Europe has always been built by people – bridging divides, breaking barriers, overthrowing dictatorships and overcoming crises for a better future for our continent,” Metsola said. “This European commitment deserves to be celebrated. With the European Order of Merit, we honour those who did not simply believe in Europe, but who helped build it.”
Laureates will be formally honoured during a ceremony scheduled to take place during the European Parliament’s plenary session in Strasbourg from May 18 to 21.
The selection committee was chaired by Metsola and included European Parliament Vice-Presidents Sophie Wilmès and Ewa Kopacz, alongside senior European figures including Michel Barnier, José Manuel Barroso, Josep Borrell and Enrico Letta. Heads of state and government, speakers of national parliaments and presidents of EU institutions submitted nominations.
Distinguished Members
Among those appointed Distinguished Members of the European Order of Merit are former German chancellor Angela Merkel, former Solidarity leader Lech Wałęsa, and Volodymyr Zelenskyy, President of Ukraine.
Honourable Members
Appointed Honourable Members are Valdas Adamkus, Jerzy Buzek, Aníbal Cavaco Silva, Sauli Niinistö, Pietro Parolin, Mary Robinson, Maia Sandu, Javier Solana, Wolfgang Schüssel, and former European Central Bank president Jean-Claude Trichet.
Members of the Order
Antetokounmpo, widely known as the “Greek Freak”, is among those appointed Members of the European Order of Merit. Other honourees include chef and founder of World Central Kitchen José Andrés, scholar Marc Gjidara, physician and academic Sandra Lejniece, human rights lawyer Oleksandra Matviichuk, and former European Commission vice-president Viviane Reding. Members of Irish rock band U2, Bono, The Edge, Adam Clayton, and Larry Mullen Jr, were also recognized.
A New European Distinction
The European Order of Merit was established last year to mark the 75th anniversary of the Schuman Declaration, the 1950 initiative that laid the foundations for European integration. Up to 20 laureates may be appointed to the order each year.
