Slovak President Peter Pellegrini has awarded the Order of the White Double Cross, Second Class, to José Pedro Correia de Aguiar-Branco, Speaker of Portugal's Parliament. The distinction recognises his contribution to relations between the two countries, but also recalls a gesture of solidarity made during the 1989 Velvet Revolution.
In December 1989, Aguiar-Branco helped organise a visit by a group of young Portuguese people to Prague. They brought 50,000 roses to express their support for Czechoslovaks fighting for freedom and democracy. Pellegrini said the gesture had left a lasting impression and that Slovakia was now expressing its gratitude and respect.
During his visit to Bratislava, Aguiar-Branco met Slovak Parliament Speaker Richard Raši to discuss closer parliamentary ties, economic and defence cooperation, as well as the EU's next long-term budget for 2028–2034. Raši also thanked Portugal for its contribution of 185 soldiers to NATO's multinational forces in Slovakia, with both sides stressing the importance of solidarity and democratic values.
TASR
