The honours of the Order of the Star of Italy, bestowed on Mr. Casini and Mr. Andreoni, are the first ones to be bestowed in Bulgaria following the introduction of the reform of the Order.

Andrea Casini, Deputy Chairman of the Management Board and Chief Operating Officer of UniCredit Bulbank, was awarded a high Italian honorary title.

By a decree of the President of the Republic of Italy, Giorgio Napolitano, Mr. Casini was proclaimed Knight of the Order of the Star of Italy.

The title is bestowed on Andrea Casini in recognition of his contribution to the development of relations between Bulgaria and Italy. The honorary title awarded to him by the President of the Italian Republic was bestowed on him by H.E. Stefano Benazzo, Ambassador of Italy in Bulgaria at a reception at the Embassy on the occasion of the National Holiday of the Republic of Italy.

The high honorary title of Knight of the Order of the Star of Italy was also bestowed on Aldo Andreoni, Head of International and Multinational Clients Division of UniCredit Bulbank.

The Order of the Star of Solidarity is awarded to Italians and foreign citizens who have outstanding foreign contribution to the development of relations of friendship and cooperation between Italy and the country in which they work and to promotion of relations with Italy.

The honours of the Order of the Star of Italy bestowed on Mr. Casini and Mr. Andreoni are the first ones to be awarded in Bulgaria following the introduction of the reform of the Order.

The Head of the Order is the President of the Republic of Italy. The Order is managed by a Council, consisting of a President and four members. The President of the Council of the Order is the Minister of Foreign Affairs. The honours of the Order of the Star of Italy are bestowed by a decree of the President of the Republic on the recommendation of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs having heard the opinion of the Council.

More information for media:

UniCredit Bulbank, Identity & Communications Department

Viktoria Blajeva, Phone: + 359 2 9264 993, wjlj/ebwjepwbAvojdsfejuhspvq/ch

Magdalena Ivanova, Phone: + 359 2 9232 528, nbhebmfob/jwbopwbAvojdsfejuhspvq/ch