Parliament will host the first European Order of Merit ceremony on Tuesday 19 May at 11:30 in Strasbourg. The first laureates will be admitted to the European Order of Merit in recognition of their significant contribution to European integration and the promotion and defence of European values.

Thirteen of the first 20 laureates are expected to attend the ceremony in Parliament’s hemicycle, which will be streamed live. Each laureate will be given the floor after receiving their distinction, and journalists present in Strasbourg will be able to meet several of them afterwards.

The following laureates are expected to attend:

• Angela Merkel, former Federal Chancellor of Germany
• Lech Wałęsa, former leader of Solidarność and former President of Poland
• Jerzy Buzek, former Prime Minister of Poland and former President of the European Parliament
• Aníbal Cavaco Silva, former President and Prime Minister of Portugal
• Pietro Parolin, Cardinal and Secretary of State of the Holy See
• Maia…