PATTERSON. hailed for outstanding contribution to regional integration and the peaceful political stability of Jamaica

KING Juan Carlos of Spain on Tuesday bestowed on outgoing prime minister, P J Patterson, the award of the Grand Cross of the National Order of Civil Merit, one of Spain's highest awards.

"This is in recognition of Mr Patterson's 14 years as head of the government of Jamaica and his tireless efforts aimed at strengthening the relations between Spain and Caricom as well as his outstanding contribution to regional integration and the peaceful political stability of Jamaica and the countries of the Caribbean," said a Jamaica House statement.

Patterson, Jamaica House said, was also recognised by Spain for helping to deepen the relations between that country and Jamaica, specifically in recent times, for his encouragement of Spanish investments in Jamaica, which will result in the creation of over 12,000 new direct jobs for the Jamaican economy.

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