FORMER IRISH PRESIDENT Mary Robinson and members of U2 are among the first recipients of a new European award recognising people who have helped promote and defend the continent’s core values.

The European Order of Merit will, according to the EU, honour individuals who have made a “significant contributions” to European integration or to the promotion of values such as peace, democracy and human dignity.

The 20 inaugural laureates were announced by European Parliament president Roberta Metsola in Strasbourg today.

Robinson, who served as Ireland’s president from 1990 to 1997 and later as the UN’s High Commissioner for Human Rights, was named an Honourable Member of the order.

U2 members Bono, The Edge, Adam Clayton and Larry Mullen Jr were also recognised, with the band cited for their cultural influence as well as Bono’s long-running advocacy work on global poverty, debt relief and HIV/AIDS.

Announcing the recipients, Metsola said Europe had always been built by people who “bridged divides, broke barriers, overthrew dictatorships and overcame crises”.

“With the European Order of Merit, we honour those who did not simply believe in Europe, but who helped build it,” Metsola said.

Other figures recognised include Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy and former German chancellor Angela Merkel, who were named Distinguished Members of the order.

Chef and humanitarian José Andrés, basketball player Giannis Antetokounmpo and human rights lawyer Oleksandra Matviichuk were also among the first recipients.

The award was created last year to mark the 75th anniversary of the Schuman Declaration, widely regarded as the starting point of European integration.

Up to 20 people can be appointed to the order each year, with the first laureates due to receive their awards at a ceremony during a European Parliament plenary session in Strasbourg in May.