Maia Sandu asks the EU to reward Moldova's merit and to let the country advance on the European path.

Maia Sandu used her speech at the European Order of Merit ceremony to say that the distinction received belongs to the Moldovan people and to ask EU institutions and member states to allow the Republic of Moldova to advance on the European path.

In short

Maia Sandu was named Honourable Member of the European Order of Merit, according to the selection committee's decision on March 2, 2026.

The European Order of Merit was created by the European Parliament to honor individuals who have made significant contributions to European integration or to the defense of the values in the EU treaties.

In her speech, Maia Sandu stated that the distinction belongs to the Moldovan people, not just to her personally.

The President of the Republic of Moldova invoked reforms, a free press, breaking energy dependence on Russia, orienting trade towards the EU, and resilience in the face of Russia's war.

Sandu called on EU institutions and member states to "reward this merit" and to let Moldova advance on its European path.

Maia Sandu received the title of Honourable Member of the European Order of Merit and stated, in a speech delivered in the European Parliament, that the distinction belongs to the Moldovan people.

The President of the Republic of Moldova is among the first laureates of the European Order of Merit, a distinction created by the European Parliament for individuals who have made significant contributions to European integration or to the promotion and defense of the values enshrined in the treaties of the European Union.

The selection committee decided on March 2, 2026, to appoint the first laureates. Maia Sandu was included in the category of Honourable Members, alongside Valdas Adamkus, Jerzy Buzek, Aníbal Cavaco Silva, Sauli Niinistö, Pietro Parolin, Mary Robinson, Wolfgang Schüssel, Javier Solana y de Madariaga, and Jean-Claude Trichet.

In her speech, Sandu presented the distinction as a recognition of the efforts of Moldovan society, not as an individual merit.

"If merit is the measure, this distinction belongs to the Moldovan people. They are the ones who earned it," said Maia Sandu.

The President of the Republic of Moldova stated that for three decades, Moldovans have built their European future, going through a difficult economic transition, taking to the streets when democracy was in danger, rejecting the oligarchs' attempts to capture the state, and voting "for Europe" in the face of threats and blackmail from Russia.

She linked Moldova's European merit to the work of public officials who are aligning public life with European standards, to journalists who have maintained a free press, to decision-makers and engineers who have broken energy dependence on Russia and connected the country to Europe.

Sandu stated that in less than four years, the Republic of Moldova has managed to break energy dependence on Russia and connect to Europe. She also mentioned the change in the country's economic orientation, stating that Moldovan businesses have made a major transition towards Europe in the last decade, so that today two-thirds of the Republic of Moldova's trade is with the European Union.

The President included in the same message judges and prosecutors, police officers who dismantle networks that destabilize Moldova and threaten neighboring countries, teachers, doctors, people who remain in the country, and the diaspora who continue to be involved in Moldova's future.

Sandu stated that these efforts are made while the Republic of Moldova lives alongside Russia's war against Ukraine.

She invoked rockets and drones that violate Moldova's airspace, pollute waters, and affect the country's energy infrastructure. In this context, she said that Moldovans "do not give up."

"Moldovans do not give up. This is the merit," said Sandu.

The end of the speech was a direct appeal to the institutions of the European Union and member states.

"Therefore, my appeal to you, to the EU institutions and member states, is simple: reward this merit. Let Moldova advance on its European path," said Maia Sandu.

The President of the European Parliament, Roberta Metsola, announced on March 10, 2026, the first laureates of the European Order of Merit, stating that Europe was built by people who united divisions, overcame barriers, toppled dictatorships, and went through crises for a better future for the continent.

At the highest level of the distinction, Distinguished Members, were named Angela Merkel, Lech Wałęsa, and Volodymyr Zelenskyy. In the Members category were named, among others, José Andrés, Giannis Antetokounmpo, Oleksandra Matviichuk, Viviane Reding, and members of the band U2.

The European Order of Merit was created by a decision of the Bureau of the European Parliament on May 5, 2025. The distinction honors the achievements of individuals who have made significant contributions to European integration or to the promotion and defense of the values provided in the EU treaties.

The order has three levels: Member of the Order, Honourable Member of the Order, and Distinguished Member of the Order. The number of laureates is generally limited to a maximum of 20 per year.

The distinction was launched on the occasion of the 75th anniversary of the Schuman Declaration and is presented by the European Parliament as the first European distinction of this type awarded by an EU institution. https://2eu.brussels/ro/stiri/maia-sandu-cere-ue-sa-recompenseze-meritul-moldovei-si-sa-ii-lase-tara-sa-avanseze-pe-drumul-european