MEXICO CITY – Mexico will bestow the Order of the Aztec Eagle, the highest decoration awarded to foreigners, on U2 singer Bono in recognition of his humanitarian work and close ties with the country.
President Felipe Calderon may deliver the medal to the Irish star during his visit to New York next week for the United Nations General Assembly, Foreign Minister Patricia Espinosa told reporters on Friday.
But she noted that the singer has not yet confirmed the exact date for the medal ceremony, due to prior commitments.
Espinosa said she spoke to Bono, who founded the global anti-poverty group ONE to help fight poverty and disease in Africa, to inform him of the decision.
“He said that he feels very honored and very pleased with this decision, and that Mexico is a country that he loves and admires,” she said.
Calderon, who leaves office on December 1, met with Bono at the presidential residence of Los Pinos last year to thank the singer for expressing solidarity with Mexico over the country’s drug violence during a concert in the capital.
“Mexico needs to know you are not alone and we are with you… you are not alone in the darkness,” Bono told 93,000 fans at the Azteca football stadium.
source: interaksyon.com