Address given by President Maystadt upon receiving the gold medal of the "European Merit Foundation"
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The European Merit Foundation was created to identify and reward those campaigning for an "existential and humanist" Europe . The Foundation has over time honoured a large number of eminent persons from many countries and all walks of life: Heads of State, politicians, leading economists, scientists and journalists and ordinary European activitists. Over the last few years, it has also turned its attention towards prominent figures in the fields of humanism and culture - two of Europe's fundamental values - who have, each in their own way, made a significant contribution to furthering the construction of Europe. They are all devoted supporters of the European idea.