Lithuania Honors Prof. Franco Borruto with the 'Star of Lithuanian Diplomacy'. Recognition for decades of scientific cooperation and cultural dialogue between Monaco and the Baltic region.

PARIS — 12 March 2026

In recognition of his longstanding contribution to international cooperation and to strengthening ties between Monaco and the Baltic region, Professor Franco Borruto, President of the Monaco Baltic States Association, has been awarded the prestigious honorary insignia “Star of Lithuanian Diplomacy”, which was presented personally by H.E. Arnoldas Pranckevičius, Ambassador of Lithuania to France, on behalf of the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Kęstutis Budrys.

The decision was conveyed at a diplomatic reception at the Lithuanian Embassy in Paris on 12 March, marking the commemoration of the Restoration of the Independence of Lithuania. The ceremony was attended by around 200 guests from diplomatic and academic communities, including H.E. Jolanta Balčiūnienė and H.E. Rolandas Kriščiūnas.

Professor Borruto is internationally recognized as a pioneer in gynecology and obstetrics, particularly in prenatal diagnosis, reconstructive gynecological surgery, and the prevention of cervical cancer. His work on the human papillomavirus (HPV) and cervical cancer prevention has become an international reference for physicians and researchers worldwide.

Throughout his career, he has collaborated with leading medical centers in Munich, Heidelberg, Lyon, and New York City, contributing to the international exchange of medical knowledge. Since 2006, he has conducted several medical and scientific missions in South America, particularly in Uruguay, Argentina, and Chile, promoting HPV vaccination and cervical cancer prevention. During these missions, he was received by heads of state including Jorge Batlle, Luis Alberto Lacalle, and Michelle Bachelet.

Since 2015, Professor Borruto has served as Consultant to the Department of Social Affairs and Health of the Government of Monaco.

Professor Borruto’s connections with the Baltic region date back to the years following the restoration of independence of the Baltic states after the fall of the Berlin Wall. He established scientific collaborations with physicians and universities in Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia, facilitating their participation in international congresses and integrating Baltic specialists into broader European scientific networks. He created and founded the Monaco Baltic States Association, of which he is President.

His scientific and academic career has earned him numerous recognitions. He is Officier of the Ordre des Palmes Académiques (France), Officier of the Order of Saint-Charles (Monaco), and Fellow of the New York Academy of Sciences. Among his other distinctions are the Stortz Award and the Anassilaos Prize. He holds honorary memberships in scientific societies in Spain, Brazil, and Latvia, including the Brazilian Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics and the Latvian Society of Gynecology and Obstetrics.

Through the activities of the Monaco Baltic States Association, including conferences and cultural initiatives, he has strengthened scientific, cultural, and academic dialogue between Monaco and the Baltic countries.

The Lithuanian distinction highlights Professor Borruto’s role as a bridge between Monaco and the Baltic region, recognizing decades of commitment to international cooperation, cultural exchange, and friendship between European nations.