KINGSTON, Jamaica (JIS) — Prime Minister Andrew Holness and President of the Dominican Republic, Danilo Medina Sánchez were today conferred with national honours of their respective countries during a State luncheon at King’s House.

Governor-General Sir Patrick Allen conferred the Order of Excellence on President Medina, who in turn awarded Prime Minister Holness the Order of Merit of Duarte, Sánchez and Mella in the rank of Grand Cross with Gold Breast.

The Order of Excellence is one of the six national orders of the Jamaican honours system. It is only awarded to present or former foreign heads of State or of government. The Order of Merit of Duarte, Sánchez and Mella (Orden al Mérito de Duarte, Sánchez y Mella), meanwhile, is the principal order of the Dominican Republic. The order is divided into seven grades, with the Grand Cross with Gold Breast Star awarded to foreign chiefs of State and to former presidents and vice-presidents.

In his remarks, the Governor-General said President Medina was being recognised for his contribution to Caribbean development, beginning within his own country, and extending to the partnerships that exist within the region.

He expressed confidence that President Medina’s visit will contribute to the strengthening of the bonds of friendship that exist between Jamaica and the Dominican Republic.

“In this highly interconnected world environment, we all have an obligation to work together in ways that will inure to our economic and social advancement. Jamaicans have shown throughout history our capacity to be creative, to overcome challenges and to take bold decisions. I expect that we will continue to demonstrate that capacity in our international engagements to the benefit of us all,” he said.

The governor-general also congratulated Holness on the honour conferred on him.

In his remarks, President Medina thanked the Jamaican Government.

“I know it is not an honour only for me but for the people of the Dominican Republic,” he said. For his part, Holness said he was most pleased to have been nominated for the conferral of the prestigious honour of Order of Merit of Duarte, Sánchez and Mella.

“I am both honoured and humbled by the fact that this is the highest honour that can be conferred on any foreign head of government. I pledge to fulfil the expectations of this great honour with distinction as I look forward to our further collaboration at the personal, national, regional and international level as we strive to secure a better quality of life for the people of our countries and the world,” he said.

According to the decree, Holness was recognised for his leadership role in the Caribbean region, promoting dialogue and consensus in the search for solutions to common problems, his friendship and solidarity towards the Dominican Republic, and “making concrete efforts to bring our governments closer and work together towards common goals”.

President Medina arrived in the island this morning for a one-day State visit. He departed Kingston for Montego Bay where he will participate in the United Nations World Tourism Organisation conference from November 27 to 29 at the Montego Bay Convention Centre.