President Pavel and Belgian King visit Plzeň

On Monday afternoon, President Petr Pavel presented the Order of the White Lion, Civil Group 1st Class, to King Philippe of Belgium at Prague Castle. The highest Czech honour was awarded to him for his significant contribution to strengthening friendly relations between Belgium and Czechia, in particular by supporting awareness of the countries' common struggle for freedom.

In a short speech, President Pavel described it as an honour to welcome the head of the Kingdom of Belgium to Prague Castle after almost a quarter of a century. "This decoration is an expression of respect for you and, through you, to all Belgian citizens for jointly maintaining freedom and building friendly relations between our countries," said the president.

On Tuesday, the Belgian King and the Czech president are visiting Plzeň to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the 17th Belgian Rifle Battalion's participation in the liberation of southwestern Bohemia, which entered Plzeň on May 6, 1945.