Apostolos Tzitzikostas, President of the European Committee of the Regions, receives the International Medal of the Community of Madrid

President of the Community of Madrid, Isabel Diaz Ayuso, presented the award in recognition of the support given to the region

The President of the European Committee of the Regions, Apostolos Tzitzikostas, has received the International Medal of the Community of Madrid in recognition of his "unconditional support" to the region, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic.

During the ceremony held in the Royal House of the Post Office of Madrid, seat of the regional government, President Apostolos Tzitzikostas, said: "It is a great honour to receive the International Medal of the Community of Madrid. Madrid will always be on my mind and in my heart. I dedicate this medal to the 1 million local leaders in the 300 regions and 90,000 municipalities across Europe who have been fighting on the frontline against the pandemic."

Isabel Díaz Ayuso, President of the Community of Madrid, thanked the President for his "unconditional support" to the region and stated: "The intention of the Community of Madrid is to participate in the great project of free and equal citizens that is Europe, committed to life and freedom. These values are sometimes questioned and must be defended by all institutions, from the most local, regional and national, to the European ones".

The International Medal of the Community of Madrid was created by the regional government of Madrid in 2017 to award representatives of other countries or international organisations in recognition of their institutional work.