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UPDATE: Polish president honoured by Hungary

10.09.2021 09:30
Polish President Andrzej Duda has collected a top Hungarian state award in recognition of his contribution to the development of relations between the two Central European countries, officials have said.
Andrzej Duda i Jnos der
Andrzej Duda i János ÁderJakub Szymczuk/KPRP

The Grand Cross of the Hungarian Order of Merit was presented to Duda by his counterpart János Áder as the Polish head of state visited Budapest on Thursday, Poland's PAP news agency reported.

The award is Budapest's highest decoration for foreign heads of state.

It was bestowed on Duda last year, but it could not be handed over earlier due to the coronavirus pandemic, according to officials.

Polish presidential aide Wojciech Kolarski has told reporters that the award is "a great honour for the Polish president and a reflection of the excellent relations" between Warsaw and Budapest.

Hungary's Áder has stressed Duda's "special role and personal involvement" in developing bilateral relations.

Áder said the Polish president's contribution included strengthening two-way political ties and promoting the two nations' shared historical heritage as well as their "shared interests within the EU," the PAP news agency reported.

While in Budapest on Thursday, Duda said Poland was making every effort to protect the eastern border of the European Union amid a migrant surge orchestrated by Belarus.

(gs)

Source: PAP