The European Parliament will establish the first official European order in honor of the 75th anniversary of the signing of the Schuman Declaration, reports press.lv, citing the press service of the European Parliament. The Schuman Declaration, which became the cornerstone of European unity and integration, was signed on May 9, 1950. In commemoration of this document, which is considered one of the symbols of the European Union, EU member states celebrate Europe Day on May 9th.

The Declaration, with which the French Foreign Minister Robert Schuman addressed European countries, proposed that they unite despite past conflicts. It spoke of creating a structure open to other European countries wishing to join. Therefore, the Declaration is considered the starting point of European construction, laying its first foundation stone.

By decision of the Bureau of the European Parliament, in honor of the 75th anniversary of this event, the first pan-European distinction will be established, with which the EU institutions will annually recognize leaders of European integration and individuals promoting European values. Their efforts will be recognized with the European Order of Merit. It is planned to award up to 20 people annually with the European distinction. The first awards are expected to be presented no later than 2026.