Other events in Baltic States

Lithuania's Minister of Foreign Affairs Vygaudas Usackas presented discus thrower Virgilijus Alekna with the Star of Lithuania's Millennium on January 22 for promoting Lithuania's name at the international arena, the Lithuanian Ministry of Foreign reported.

The athlete was twice the Olympic champion, and was appointed the UNESCO Champion for Sport.

"Today it is my honour and a pleasure to congratulate Virgilijus Alekna. I am glad that our Olympic champion contributed to promotion of Lithuania's name worldwide. We all know about his merits for Lithuanian sports, and it is my conviction that Lithuanian sports and diplomacy are most closely interconnected," said Usackas.

The head of the Lithuanian diplomacy said that he was pleased with the achievements of the world class Lithuanian athlete and wished him all the luck in the world.

"You are the best ambassador of our country," said Usackas upon presenting the award.

On the occasion of the millennium of Lithuania's name, the Foreign Ministry's award the Star of Lithuania's Millennium was established in 2007. It is awarded for merits to the Lithuanian state and its foreign policy.

The Star of Lithuania's Millennium is awarded to Lithuanian and foreign citizens for their special merits in promoting Lithuania's name, fostering and developing country-to-country relations, also for their significant merits in the civil service.

84 people have received the award up to now.