Leopoldo Cólogan receives the distinction of Chevalier of the Légion d'honneur.

President of the Association of European Producers of Bananas (APEB), Leopoldo Cólogan, Paris received the distinction of Knight of the National Order of the Legion of Honor.

This distinction has been awarded by the French Republic, a proposal by Foreign Minister, Laurent Fabius, contribute to closer relations between the governments of France and Spain.

The ceremony was led by former Minister of Overseas Departments and Territories, Dominique Perben, that during his tenure supported all initiatives related to the outermost regions.

The event was organized by the French banana producers and was also a wide representation of European producers, including the president of the Union of Banana Producers Groups they were in Guadeloupe and Martinique (UGPBAN), Eric de Lucy; President of the Association of Banana Producers Organizations Canary Islands (ASPROCAN), Santiago Rodriguez, as well as President and CEO of the Association of Madeira (GESBA), Mario Jardim Fernandes and Jorge Dias, respectively.

In addition, They attended by members of the French and Spanish governments, including Spain's ambassador to the OECD were, Ricardo Díez- Hochleitner, and Deputy Director General of Agricultural Affairs and Fisheries of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Cleto Sanchez Vellisco.

By the European Commission attended Giuseppe Azzi Ciavarini, who he was chairman of the interdepartmental group responsible for establishing and POSEI Year 1992, as well as the deputy director of Agriculture of the European Commission, Alexander Tilgenkamp, sector considered by the creator of the banana CMO of the Year 1993.

Canary representation was made by the President of the Parliament of the Canary Islands, Antonio Castro Cordobez; the Minister of agriculture, Livestock, Fishing and water, Juan Ramon Hernandez, as well as the Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Livestock, Alonso Arroyo Hodgson.

The APEB was founded in Tenerife 21 November of 1989, having met last November its 25 years of existence. The union between the Community banana producers has been crucial to maintaining production in the respective regions, always acting with the various forums professionally.