French ambassador decorates Hungarian soldiers and civilians

Text: Mihály Réti | Photo: Sztaniszláv Horváth | 15:05 May 29, 2026

On 27 May, French ambassador Jonathan Laĉote presented high-ranking state and military recognitions at the ambassadorial residence. The awardees attending the ceremony were Hungarian experts and soldiers who made significant contributions to the deepening of Hungarian–French relations through their work, and did outstanding service within the framework of EUFOR Operation Althea, in cooperation with French troops.

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In his speech, the ambassador said thanks to the awardees, and also spoke about the historical significance of the recognitions. “The National Order of Merit (Ordre national du Mérite) is a French decoration founded by General de Gaulle in 1963 to recognize outstanding merits done for the French nation in the military and the civilian fields. The National Defence Medal (Médaille de la Défense nationale) was founded in 1982 and although it is mainly awarded to French soldiers, on rare occasions the recipients may be foreign servicemembers or civilians as well, who have done exceptional service to France and its armed forces” – emphasized the diplomat.

At the ceremony, the National Order of Merit of the French Republic was presented to Péter Gyila, Head of Department, Department for International Cooperation, Ministry of Defence. The French National Defence Medal was awarded to Reserve Colonel MP Attila Csaba Bakos, Chairman, Defence and Law Enforcement Committee of the Hungarian national assembly, as well as to Lieutenant Colonel Péter Benei, Deputy Head of Department, MoD Department for International Cooperation.

Also in attendance at the event were the students of the French École de Guerre (General Staff Course), among them a Hungarian and a Croatian senior officer. The students of the institution are visiting Hungary on a study tour between 26 and 29 May.