Order of Merit

The European Parliament announced this week that the members of U2 will be among the first recipients of a new award, THE EUROPEAN ORDER OF MERIT, which recognises those who have significantly contributed to European integration or who promote and defend European values.

Others receiving recognition include former Irish President and human rights activist Mary Robinson, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, former German Chancellor Angela Merkel and José Andrés, Chef and founder of the NGO ‘World Central Kitchen'.

"Europe has always been built by people, bridging divides, breaking barriers, overthrowing dictatorships and overcoming crises for a better future for our continent," said European Parliament President Roberta Metsola. "With the European Order of Merit, we honour those who did not simply believe in Europe but who helped build it."

More on the European Order of Merit here.