Order of the White Double Cross
Highest state decoration of Slovakia / From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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The Order of the White Double Cross (Slovak: Rad Bieleho dvojkríža) is the highest state decoration of the Slovak Republic.
Quick Facts Order of the White Double CrossRád Bieleho dvojkríža, Awarded by President of Slovakia ...
Order of the White Double Cross Rád Bieleho dvojkríža | |
---|---|
Awarded by President of Slovakia | |
Type | Order |
Eligibility | foreign persons |
Awarded for | Services to Slovakia |
Status | Currently constituted |
Sovereign | H.E. Zuzana Čaputová |
Grades | Grand Cross Grand Officer Commander |
Statistics | |
First induction | H.Em. Jozef Tomko (1994) |
Last induction | H.E. Katerina Sakellaropoulou (6 September 2022) |
Total inductees | 186 (total) 49 (1st Class) 92 (2nd Class) 45 (3rd Class) |
Precedence | |
Next (higher) | None (highest) |
Next (lower) | Andrej Hlinka Order |
Ribbon bar of the 1st Class Ribbon bar of the 2nd Class Ribbon bar of the 3rd Class |
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The Order was instituted on 1 March 1994 after Slovakia became independent on 1 January 1993. It continues the Czechoslovak Order of the White Lion, which was created in 1922 as an award for foreigners.
The Order of the White Double Cross is conferred only upon foreign citizens, with the sole exception of the current President of Slovakia, who is awarded the Order by the National Council for the duration of their term of office upon inauguration.
According to the Order's statute, it is awarded:
- "for the comprehensive development of relations between the state, whose citizens they are and the Slovak Republic";
- "for the empowerment of the Slovak Republic’s position in international relations";
- "for meeting the foreign policy priorities of Slovakia";
- "for otherwise outstanding achievement in the benefit of the Slovak Republic"; or
- "for the outstanding spread of good reputation of Slovakia abroad."