The Hungarian Embassy in Angola, in a statement made available on its website, explains that, last year, the Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Ambassador of Hungary, Zsolt Maris, proposed the name of engineer José Justino, in response to an announcement by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Commerce of Hungary to submit proposals for the award of the Hungarian State Medal.
According to the note, the proposal was accepted by János Áder, President of Hungary. The award ceremony took place recently, on 30 March, and was guided by the Hungarian ambassador, Zsolt Maris.
"The Embassy of Hungary greatly appreciates José Justino's decades-long collaboration in the development of Hungarian-Angolan bilateral relations and in the promotion of Hungarian language and culture", the note reads, which adds that "the honoree played an important role in integration of former students who studied in Hungary in the 1980s and 1990s".
The 'Cross of the Hungarian Order of Merit' – which belongs to the Hungarian Order of Merit class – since 2011 is regarded as one of the highest decorations awarded by the Hungarian State.
