On 31 October 2017, at the Embassy of France in Moscow, a festive presentation of national awards to representatives of Russian science who contributed to the development of cooperation between scientists of the two countries was held. Academician A.A. Makarov, Director of the Engelhardt Institute of Molecular Biology (EIMB RAS), the world-acknowledged expert in the fields of biomedicine, bioengineering and biotechnology, was awarded the National Order of the Legion of Honour, Knight degree. Academician V.A. Matveev, Director of Joint Institute for Nuclear Research, the world-acknowledged expert in the fields of high energy physics, particle physics and quantum field theory, was awarded the National Order of Merit, Officer degree.

The festive ceremony was opened by Ambassador of France in Moscow, Mrs. Sylvie Bermann, who noted the centuries-old history of scientific cooperation between France and Russia which has its roots in the time of Peter the Great.

The awards were presented by Permanent Secretary of the French Academy of Sciences, President of the National Centre of Scientific Research (CNRS), Professor Catherine Brechignac.

In his acceptance speech, Academician V.A. Matveev expressed his deep gratitude for the high appreciation of his efforts by the French government, noting that cooperation with French scientists is one of the major aspects of JINR activities. V.A. Matveev emphasized that international cooperation of scientists contributes greatly to understanding between people and friendship of nations.

The National Order of the Legion of Honour, is the highest French order of merit for military and civil merits, established on 19 May 1802 by Napoléon Bonaparte. The order is divided into five degrees of decreasing distinction: Grand Cross, Grand Officer, Commander, Officer, Knight.

The National Order of Merit, is a French order of merit with membership awarded by the President of the French Republic, instituted on 3 December 1963 by President Charles de Gaulle. French citizens as well as foreign nationals, men and women, can be awarded with the order for distinguished military or civil achievements, though of a lesser level than that required for the award of the Legion of Honour. The Order has five classes: Grand Cross, Grand Officer, Commander, Officer, Knight.

Based on the article of Galina Myalkovskaya, JINR Weekly Newspaper