CANBERRA, Jan. 6 (Xinhua) -- Australia's former prime minister John Howard said on Tuesday that he will receive the Presidential Medal of Freedom by U.S. President Jeorge W. Bush during a White House ceremony next week.

    Howard has been awarded the medal, the highest civilian honor a U.S. president can give, along with former British prime minister Tony Blair and Columbia's president Alvaro Uribe.

    U.S. President George W Bush will confer the prestigious award on his staunch international supporters in an East Room ceremony on Jan. 13, one week before he leaves office.

    Howard said that he was honored personally to receive the award, but more so because of the compliment it pays to Australia.

    "It's an indication of the very close relationship between our two countries and I'm very pleased that during the time as prime minister I was able to contribute too," Australian Associated Press quoted Howard as said.

    The Medal of Freedom was established by President Harry Truman in 1945 to recognize civilians for their efforts during World War II.

    The award is given to those deemed to have made remarkable contributions to the security or national interests of the United States, world peace, culture, or other private or public endeavors. President Bush has awarded 78 medals of freedom during his tenure in office.