In presenting the medal, Minister Lipavsky appreciated that Mrs. Dhonato had become a true friend of our country through her studies in the former Czechoslovakia. He highlighted her tireless and selfless efforts to continuously promote Czech-Albanian contacts, cooperation and relations during the decades when our two countries have gone through historical twists and turns. For twenty years, Mrs. Dhonato has been at the forefront of the alumni of Czech schools, friends of the Czech Republic, and has actively contributed to the promotion of our science, culture, language and traditions.

Mrs. Marika Dhonato accepted the medal with emotion as a recognition not only of her work, but more importantly of the whole community of Albanian students of Czechoslovak schools who have used the knowledge they have acquired during their studies and have fallen in love with the beautiful Czech country. She expressed her joy that after many years of guidance she could pass the baton to the younger graduates who continue to work towards a common goal. She also thanked the MFA for its support in the implementation of the Society's three major projects in Tirana and Prague.

Professor Dhonato's award ceremony also included a piano mini-recital by the Vice Dean of the Faculty of Music of the Tirana University of Arts, Ms. S. Skenderi, on a Petrof piano loaned to the Embassy by Petrof and a reception at the Embassy of the Czech Republic attended by the community of friends of the Czech Republic and Slovakia with the Ambassador of Slovakia, Mr. Albin Otruba, as a guest.