Bulgarian President Georgi Purvanov awarded European External Relations Commissioner Benita Ferrero-Waldner Bulgaria’s highest honour, the Stara Planina order first degree on September 17 2007.

Ferrero-Waldner received the order for her outstanding role in the liberation of the six Bulgarian medics, accused of deliberately infecting children with the HIV virus in Libya, Focus news agency reported.

Purvanov said the solution of the case with the medics was a “brilliant example of European solidarity.”

The order was a “humble expression of the great Bulgarian gratitude towards all European institutions and partners, which contributed every day to the solution of the case,” Purvanov said.

Ferrero-Waldner was also given honorary citizenship of Sofia.

She said that she was very happy to be in Sofia on the day of the city’s celebration, which is also celebration of hope. On September 17, the Orthodox Church commemorates St Sofia and her three daughters Vyara, Nadezhda and Lyubov (Faith, Hope and Love).

Ferrero-Waldner said that she had always worked hard for the liberation of the medics, and emphasised the solidarity from the UK, Germany, France, Italy and Portugal. Her best reward was seeing the medics return home, she said.