Jean Asselborn, the Foreign Minister of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg, is to be honoured for his outstanding services to German-Luxembourg relations and to enhancing cooperation between the two countries on European affairs. In recognition of his special dedication in this field, Foreign Minister Asselborn is to be awarded the Grand Cross 1st class of the Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany.

Federal Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle will present the Cross on Tuesday, 14 December, at a ceremony in the Federal Foreign Office, and will make a speech in honour of Mr Asselborn.