The President of France Francois Hollande has conferred the country’s highest decoration to Tonio Portughese.
Mr Portughese was conferred with the National Order of the Legion d'Honneur in recognition of his long-standing career and promotion of the French, European and universal values of dialogue, diversity and tolerance and for his promotion of excellent business and cultural relations between France and Malta.
Presenting the medal, France Ambassador Beatrice Le Fraper Du Hellen underlined the contribution given by Mr Portughese to the enhancement of these relations resulting from his professional career in local and international business and academic achievements.
Mrs Le Fraper also highlighted the personal endorsement of Malta's Prime Minister Joseph Muscat in honouring a distinguished Maltese citizen while he was presiding the EU’s Council of Ministers.
The Ordre National de la Legion d'Honneur, the highest French order for military and civil merits, was established in1802 by Napoleon Bonaparte and its current Grand Master is President Francois Hollande.