The Minister of National Defense, João Gomes Cravinho, will be awarded the French Legion of Honor and the Comendador degree in distinction, which the Portuguese ruler attributes to “excellent relations between Portugal and France.”
“Our two armed forces have worked a lot together, in fact, it has intensified with the Takuba mission in Mali and so I see [a distinção] as a French interpretation of the excellent relations between Portugal and France in the field of defense, ”said João Gomes Cravinho in a statement from Agencia Luz.
The Portuguese minister is in France until Thursday for a meeting between the countries participating in the Takuba force in Mali to participate in the traditional military parade on July 14, as well as a bilateral meeting with French Defense Minister Florence Parly.
The Legion of Honor is the highest French award, with five different grades: Grand Cross, Grand Officer, Commander, Officer and Knight. The Legion of Honor has an order where only French citizens are admitted, and foreigners can still receive this award, but without joining the institution.
“It is an honor that is a result of the closeness of Portugal and France in the field of defense. I also join the recent presidency of the European Union, as the letter mentions the contribution to the formation of a European defense identity, ”the minister justified.
The recipients of the Legion of Honor award are usually appointed by different ministers, and the award is awarded by the President of the Republic, in this case Emmanuel Macron.
In 2014, director Manoel d’Oliveira received the Legion of Honor on his 106th birthday with the degree of Grand Officer.
