RFE/RL’s Moldovan Service Chișinău Bureau Chief Vasile Botnaru has been given the Government of Romania’s highest civilian honor.
Romanian President Klaus Johannis conferred Botnaru with the Ordinul Naţional “Serviciul Credincios” (National Order of “Faithful Service”) with the rank of Commander for his journalistic work. The distinction recognizes his contributions to strengthening community, language, and social ties across the Romania-Moldova border. President Johannis’ official decree states that the honor is a sign of appreciation for the significant contribution to the promotion of democracy on both sides of the Prut River.
The National Order of “Faithful Service” is an honorific order of Romania originally established in 1878. It was re-instituted in March 2000 and is awarded for special services to Romania. The Order is awarded to three classes (civil, military–peacetime and military–wartime) in one of 5 grades: Grand Cross, Grand Officer, Commander, Officer or Knight. It may be conferred upon Romanian nationals or foreign citizens for exceptional civil and military services to the Romanian State and the Romanian people, special acts in time of peace or for heroic acts in time of war, and contributing to the development of the friendship relations with Romania, or for other exceptional services to the Romanian State and the Romanian People.
The Order was officially presented to Botnaru by the Romanian ambassador in Chișinău, Daniel Ionita, on December 22, 2016.