Dr Fenech Adami became Commandeur de la Légion d’honneur (Commander of the Order of the Legion of Honour) during a ceremony held at the French ambassador’s residence in Zebbug on Thursday evening. The former President and Prime Minister of Malta became the first Maltese national to date to be decorated with this high distinction.

French Ambassador Daniel Rondeau, in his address before an audience composed of Dr Fenech Adami, his wife Mary, his children, former President Prof Guido de Marco, Deputy Prime Minister Dr Tonio Borg and other distinguished guests, called Dr Fenech Adami an exceptional man known for his courage, a true Maltese statesman who preserved the sense of togetherness in Maltese society, a great European for having had the vision to lead Malta into the EU.

In his acceptance speech, Dr Fenech Adami stated “I gave my best and the fruit of my work has been appreciated by most Maltese” before thanking President Nicolas Sarkozy who is the Grand Master of the Order of the Legion of Honour for bestowing the award and Ambassador Daniel Rondeau for proposing his name.

President Emeritus Guido de Marco said that Dr Fenech Adami “will be remembered not only as the leader of the Nationalist Party …but also as a great leader of our country” before adding, “France, a leading country in Europe, has recognised this”.

The Légion d’honneur has five ranks which are, in ascending order: Chevalier, Officier, Commandeur, Grand Officier and Grand Croix. Very few enter the last two ranks because they are generally reserved for those who served in major wars.