Paris, Nov 20.- The Latin American and Caribbean Group (GRULAC) of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) decorated on Friday Cuban Ambassador Hector Hernandez Pardo with the TAINO certificate and medal.

The award, minted in gold by UNESCO, recognizes outstanding people and institutions for their work in defense of peace and democracy in the region.

At the award granting ceremony, Chilean Ambassador and Chair of GRULAC Pilar Armanet highlighted the Cuban diplomat's high ability to dialogue, as well as his tireless defense of democratic ideals, human rights and the culture of peace.

Hernandez Pardo, who is nearing conclusion of his mission in Paris, was extolled "for the extraordinary work carried out as Ambassador Permanent Delegate of the Republic of Cuba before UNESCO and for his high sensitivity and commitment to this Organization's basic values and principles."

Diplomats and delegates from Venezuela, Brazil, Grenada, Argentina, Bolivia, Peru, Colombia, Mexico, Jamaica, Panama, Ecuador, the Dominican Republic and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines also extolled the Cuban diplomat's role at the helm of the Non Aligned Movement.

Hernandez Pardo appreciated the recognition he described as an expression of affection and solidarity with the Cuban people and called for keeping on strengthening Latin American and Caribbean unity around debates within UNESCO. (Prensa Latina)