Mayor Jacek Majchrowski awarded Germany's Order of Merit

The Order was presented by the Consul General of Germany in Kraków, Dr Michael Groß. Delivering a laudation, he emphasised the merits of President Majchrowski in building good relations between the two nations. Consul Groß noted: Jacek Majchrowski's leading role in the implementation of European democratic values of national scope and his cooperation with German partner cities, which serves to strengthen and improve Polish-German relations, deserves special recognition. The diplomat mentioned Kraków's excellent contacts with German twin cities Leipzig, Frankfurt am Main and Nuremberg in a number of areas, most recently particularly in humanitarian aid during the pandemic and war in Ukraine. They are the result of many years of very good, trust-based and responsible cooperation.

Mayor Majchrowski expressed his thanks for such an honour, as well as for the many years of cordial cooperation with the mayors of the German partner cities. He emphasised that Kraków has had a very stable relationship with its German partners from the very beginning. These relations are exemplary in terms of both the scope of cooperation and its intensity, and the fact that Kraków has as many as three partner cities in one country is in itself exceptional. I am glad that comprehensive Polish-German relations are developing rapidly precisely thanks to the contacts of the local authorities, and that the partnership between Kraków and the German cities is our common contribution to the very important good neighbourly cooperation between Poland and Germany, - said Jacek Majchrowski.

The ceremony of presenting the Grand Cross of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany to the Mayor of the City of Kraków took place in the Kraków city hall and was attended by numerous guests, including the Chargé d'affaires of the German Embassy in Warsaw, Robert Rohde, representatives of the political, academic and cultural circles as well as Kraków diplomats.

The Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany [German: Verdienstorden der Bundesrepublik Deutschland], commonly known as the Federal Cross of Merit (Bundesverdienstkreuz), is a German state decoration for civilian merit and the only order of the Federal Republic of Germany awarded by the federal authorities. It was established on 7 September 1951 by the first President of the Federal Republic of Germany, Theodor Heuss, as an award for German citizens and foreigners who have made outstanding contributions in political, cultural or socio-economic fields during the reconstruction of Germany from the destruction of the war or in later years. The insignia of the order include the badge and the stars. The badge is a red enamelled cross pattée with narrow arms on both sides with the coat of arms of Germany in the central medallion of the obverse.