As prime minister, “he assumed significant responsibilities in negotiating the Single European Act and played a historic role in signing the Maastricht Treaty which, during the first Portuguese Presidency of the Council of the European Union, significantly expanded the powers of the European Parliament and laid the foundations for the single currency”, says the note.
As President of the Republic, between 2006 and 2016, he “defended the importance of the Lisbon Treaty”. “During his political career, Aníbal Cavaco Silva contributed to the positive perception of the EU among Portuguese citizens, defending the principles of European cohesion, institutional credibility and the reinforcement of democratic legitimacy within the scope of the European project”, it is noted. “At the international level, he defended the democratic stabilization of African regimes, supporting peace negotiations for Angola and Mozambique”, the statement said.
The European Order of Merit was created by the European Parliament in May 2025 to mark the 75th anniversary of the Schuman Declaration and every year up to 20 citizens will be awarded this European distinction, the first of its kind granted by the EU institutions.
Other European citizens were also decorated in this first edition of the award. In the category of Distinguished Member of the European Order of Merit the President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelensky, former German Chancellor Angela Merkel and former Polish President Lech Walesa were distinguished. The members of the Irish band U2, among other personalities, were awarded the rank of Member of the Order of Merit.
As Honorary Member of the European Order of Meritthe same category for which Cavaco Silva was recognized, were awarded, for example, Pietro Parolin, cardinal and Secretary of State of the Holy See and Javier Solana, former high representative of the EU for Common Foreign and Security Policy.
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