Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has submitted to the Verkhovna Rada a bill to establish a new state award, the Order of Europe. The announcement was made by parliament speaker Ruslan Stefanchuk.
Under the proposal, the order would be awarded to both Ukrainian citizens and foreigners. It is intended for those who, according to the draft, have shown special merit in supporting the country’s strategic course toward full membership in the European Union.
The award is also meant to recognize a significant contribution to assisting Ukraine in strengthening its resilience in defending its independence, as well as the security of Europe as a whole.
The list of grounds for receiving the order also includes strengthening international cooperation in the interests of democracy, peace, and good-neighborly relations, along with developing friendly and comprehensive ties between peoples.
The explanatory note says the order is being proposed in view of the “important significance of European integration processes” for Ukraine, whose future is “inseparably linked” with the European Union.
According to Stefanchuk, the Verkhovna Rada will consider the bill at one of its upcoming plenary sessions.