Order for Exceptional Merits
The Order for Exceptional Merits, is a state order of the Republic of Slovenia. It is awarded usually for exceptional work and services rendered in advancing the sovereignty, prosperity, renown and progress of Slovenia in the cultural, economic, scientific, social and political spheres. It is conferred to nationals of the country and, exceptionally, groups of citizens, legal persons and other organizations and foreign top statesmen. The order is usually presented by the President of Slovenia in person.
Notable recipients
2022 - Alexander Van der Bellen 2022 - Frank-Walter Steinmeier 2021 - Sergio Mattarella 2021 - Angela Merkel 2021 - Moon Jae-in 2021 - Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa 2021 - Katerina Sakellaropoulou 2019 - Kersti Kaljulaid 2016 - Miloš Zeman '2015 - Herman Van Rompuy '2015 - Joachim Gauck '2013 - Slovenian Academy of Sciences and Arts2011 - Harald V of Norway '2011 – Queen Sonja of Norway '2011 - Giorgio Napolitano '2010 - Tarja Halonen '2009 - University of Ljubljana 2009 - Jaap de Hoop Scheffer '2008 - Elizabeth II '2008 - France Bučar2006 - Tassos Papadopoulos '2006 - Albert II '2006 - Jože Pučnik 2006 - Davíð Oddsson '2005 - Romano Prodi '2005 - George Robertson, Baron Robertson of Port Ellen '2005 - Helmut Kohl '2005 - Ferenc Mádl '2004 - Carl XVI Gustaf of Sweden '2004 - Queen Silvia of Sweden '2004 - Javier Solana 2004 - Günter Verheugen ''''