Donald Tusk
2013 - On 6th February, on his visit to Luxembourg, the then Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk (now President of the European Council since 1 December 2014) was awarded the “Mérite Européen” by Luxembourg's Jean-Claude Juncker for his achievements as a “great European.”
“The Polish Premier is one of the few statesmen who can reconcile national patriotism with European patriotism,” Juncker said in his speech of honour on Wednesday. He added that it was due to Tusk's efforts that Poland's voice in the EU was being heard today.
President of the “Mérite Européen” foundation, Jacques Santer, also praised Tusk. He also pointed out the fact that Germany had nominated Tusk for the award, saying that this was a clear sign of the success of the politics of reconciliation.
In his acceptance speech, Tusk frequently spoke about Europe's values, which were all the more important to Poland as its population was deprived of democracy under communist rule. He added that the road to becoming a member of the European Union had been long, but that all efforts had been worth it as Europe had always been a “Land of Dreams” for the Polish people.
Jean-Claude Trichet
There was an air of revenge on Wednesday night at the Cercle Cité, during the ceremony of the Collier du Mérite européen.
While Trichet, Honorary Governor of the Bank of France, former president of the European Central Bank, had given the laudatio for Jean-Claude Juncker at the presentation of the European Culture Prize on 12th December 2011 in Strasbourg, this time it was Jean-Claude Juncker, who had the honour of saluting the tremendous work of the former president of the ECB.
After greeting his "faithful and loyal friend", the Prime Minister highlighted the "willingness to serve" by Jean-Claude Trichet, head of the European Central Bank, who has "rendered many services to European Union and the euro. "
"Trichet has always maintained harmonious relations with the heads of state and heads of government," especially emphasised Jean-Claude Juncker. "You will leave the Grand Duchy covered in medals and you deserve it," he told Mr Juncker in conclusion.
Christine Lieberknecht, Elmar Brok, Paul Helminger
2013 - On 15th November, several politicians were awarded medals.
Among the Gold Medal award winners were the Prime Minister of Thüringen in Germany, Christine Lieberknecht and German member of the European Parliament, Elmar Brok, as well as the long-serving deputy as well as Mayor of the City of Luxembourg, Paul Helminger.
In his speech, the then Prime Minister Jean-Claude Juncker praised Christine Lieberknecht as a person who had rendered outstanding service, thanks to her devotion to Europe.
