Monday at Madrid’s royal palace saw the ceremony to induct French President Nicolas Sarkozy to Spain’s Order of the Golden Fleece. He was rewarded this for his efforts to cease the Basque separatists group, the ETA’s terrorist activities.
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The ceremony took place at the Official Chamber, where King Alfonso XIII appointed his knights. There, His Majesty King Juan Carlos gave Sarkozy the medal of honor – which is Spain’s highest civil honor.
In attendance were Queen Sofia, the Prince and Princess Asturias, and other members of the Golden Fleece, some of them former monarchs themselves. They were Simeon, the former King of Bulgaria, and Constantine, the former King of Greece.
In a speech, King Juan Carlos called Sarkozy a constant ally and praised him for “always making the victims the aim and end of your solidarity.”
He also noted Sarkozy efforts not only as President of France, but also the country’s Interior Minister from 2002-2004 and 2005-2007.
Sarkozy’s knighthood comes two days after France arrested three suspected ETA members.
Since its inception forty years ago, the ETA killed over eight hundred people. In October 2011, it announced it will cease terrorist activities.
The Order of the Golden Fleece began was created in 1430 when King Philip III, Duke of Burgundy, married Princess Isabella of Portugal.
Source: RFI, AP
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