Slovak President Peter Pellegrini awarded OECD Secretary-General Mathias Cormann the Order of the White Double Cross, First Class. The ceremony was held on Monday at the Presidential Palace in Bratislava.
Pellegrini praised Cormann for strengthening Slovakia’s standing on the international stage and for defending the values behind the country’s open economy. He highlighted Cormann’s efforts to promote international cooperation, open markets, and fair global trade, calling him an “unyielding advocate” of these principles.
The President also thanked him for leadership that helped Slovakia apply global best practices and navigate economic challenges. He noted that in 25 years of OECD membership, Slovakia has become not only a recipient of change, but an active contributor — hosting key discussions, including on the future of artificial intelligence.
The Order of the White Double Cross is one of Slovakia’s highest state honours. It is awarded by the President to foreign nationals who have significantly contributed to Slovakia’s development or its good reputation abroad. Its symbol, a white double cross, comes from the Slovak national emblem and represents Slovak statehood. The order has civilian and military divisions, each with three classes, of which the First Class is the highest.
Source: TASR
