Ex Bulgarian EU Minister Awarded Highest French Honor over Common Chargers

Bulgaria's former European Affairs Minister, Gergana Passy, is the youngest Bulgarian to ever receive the highest French order - the Legion of Honor. Photo by M3 Communications Group

Bulgaria's former European Affairs Minister, Gergana Passy, has been bestowed the highest French honor - the National Order of the Legion of Honor.

The order is given to Passy, current Chair of the Pan-European Union in Bulgaria, by French President, Nickolas Sarkozy, as recognition for her professionalism and contributions to Bulgaria's European integration.

Sarkozy's letter expresses gratitude for Passy's support during her ministerial term for the French Presidency of the EU Council. This was precisely the time when Passy and her French colleagues were able to achieve huge progress in the joint European effort for the introduction of a common mobile phone charger for all GSMs in the EU.

Gergana Passy, and her husband, former Bulgarian Foreign Affairs Minister, Solomon Passy, were the first Europeans to attract, as early as the spring of 2008, the attention of the European public and institutions about the need of such charger and were able to make their idea a reality in a fierce fight with bureaucracy and selfish business interests.

The order was bestowed to Gergana Passy by French Ambassador to Sofia, Philippe Autie, during an official ceremony at the Embassy, in the presence of diplomats and politicians.

"I accept this highest order not only as recognition of my efforts as EU Affairs Minister, but as a confirmation of the excellent relationships between our two countries. I wish to see much more evidence of the friendship between Bulgaria and France, as well as more joint innovative solutions in the name of a stronger Europe," Passy said.

The French Legion Order was established by Napoleon Bonaparte, First Consul of the First Republic, on 19 May 1802. The Order is the highest decoration in France.

Gergana Passy became the youngest Bulgarian to ever receive this order.

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