presidencia.pt
The former President of the Republic, Cavaco SIlva
Order distinguishes citizens who have “significantly contributed to European integration” or to European values.
Former President of the Republic Aníbal Cavaco Silva it was today decorated with the new European Order of Meritcreated in May 2025, which distinguishes citizens who “contributed significantly to European integration” or to European values.
This was the first time that this order was awarded and, in addition to Aníbal Cavaco Silva, 19 other European citizens were also decorated, including the President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, the former German Chancellor Angela Merkel and former Polish president Lech Walesa.
Cavaco Silva was awarded the degree of Honorary Member of the European Order of Merit, the second highest, and, in a statement released to the press, the distinction is justified with the role that the prime minister Portuguese between 1985 and 1995 played in accession from Portugal to the then European Economic Community (CEE).
“Leaded os efforts for Portugal to join the European communities during his term as Prime Minister, which began in 1985”, reads the note, which also highlights that Cavaco Silva “assumed significant responsibilities in the negotiation of the Single European Act and the Maastricht Treaty”.
“During his leadership, Portugal assumed for the first time, in 1992, the Presidency of the Council of European Communities. Portugal also joined the European Monetary System, which allowed it to become a founding member of the euro, during his term as prime minister”, he says.
The EU also highlights that Cavaco Silva, as President of the Republicbetween 2006 and 2016, provided “institutional support for the work that led to the entry into force of the Treaty of Lisbon”, in 2009, and contributed “to positive perception and UE among Portuguese citizens through his work on Portugal’s European integration”.
“He defended the principles of European cohesion, institutional credibility and the reinforcement of democratic legitimacy within the scope of the European project. He promoted changes and aimed at the democratic stabilization of African regimes, sponsoring the peace negotiations in Angola and similar processes in Mozambique”, it reads.
Created by the European Parliament in May 2025, to mark 75 years of the Schuman Declaration, the Order of Merit is the first European distinction granted by the EU institutions and honors individuals who “have significantly contributed to European integration or to the promotion and defense of the values enshrined” in European treaties.
Every year, up to 20 citizens are awarded this order, and nomination proposals can be presented by the presidents of the European Council, European Commission, European Parliament, as well as by the heads of State or Government sitting on the European Council or by the presidents of the national parliaments of the Member States.
The proposals are then analyzed by a selection committee to which the former president of the European Commission and former Portuguese Prime Minister José Manuel Durão Barroso belonged this year.
“Justice”
The Portuguese Government considered that Cavaco Silva’s decoration was a “very fair recognition for the face and driving force” of Portugal’s European accession.
“Fair recognition for the face and driving force of joining the Communities in the initial ten years”, wrote the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MNE), on the social network.
Cavaco Silva’s “European commitment” “was an important factor in the success of accession”, adds the publication.
