Estonian president presents state decorations to Herem, Madise, Kontaveit

TALLINN - Estonian President Alar Karis on Friday awarded the Order of the Cross of the Eagle, 1st Class, to commander of the defense forces Gen. Martin Herem, decorated Justice Chancellor Ulle Madise with the Order of the National Coat of Arms, 3rd Class, and presented tennis player Anett Kontaveit with the Order of the White Star, 3rd Class.

Gen. Herem received Estonia's highest national defense award, the Order of the Cross of the Eagle, 1st Class, for his long-term service in the defense of the Estonian state, especially for the last five years, during which he served as the ninth commander of the Estonian defense forces.

Justice Chancellor Ulle Madise received the Order of the National Coat of Arms, 3rd Class, as a promoter of statehood. Madise has been the chancellor of justice since 2015 and since 2011 she has also been a professor of constitutional law at the University of Tartu. She has also worked as the editor-in-chief of the annotated edition of the Constitution of the Republic of Estonia.

Tennis player Anett Kontaveit received the Order of the White Star, 3rd Class, for a successful sports career. Kontaveit has made it to the top of the world and has been a role model for many young people with her willpower and self-confidence.