Donald Tusk made honorary companion of the National Order of Merit

EU Council president Donald Tusk and former ministers Louis Grech and George Vella topped the list of the Gieh ir-Republika awards today. They have been made companions of the National Order of Merit.  Former ministers Leo Brincat, Joe Debono Grech and Louis Galea were made officers of the Order of Merit. The honour on Mr Tusk was bestowed 'for strengthening relations between Malta and EU particularly during Maltese presidency'. The awards ceremony was held at the Palace to mark Republic Day. The awards and medals were presented by President Marie-Louise Coleiro Preca. A parade was held at Palace Square. The title of Honorary Officers was awarded to Borislav Tzetkov Boyanov - honorary consul in Bulgaria, for strengthening bilateral relations and Jubran Taweel - former Palestinian ambassador to Malta The new Members are: John Bencini (trade unionist), Joe Camilleri (Labour Party activist and former secretary to Dom Mintoff) Paul Camilleri Cauchi (artist), Francis Ebejer (author, posthumous), Reginald Fava (businessman), Dominic Fenech (University lecturer), Charles Flores (journalist), Godfrey Anthony Laferla (surgeon) and Richard A Matrenza (former Labour candidate and...