Icelandic pop singer Bjork was decorated with France's National Order of Merit after kicking off her world tour in Paris.

French Education Minister Jack Lang, who pinned the medal on Bjork on Thursday, said the award was "a sign of friendship toward an artist."

Lang said he "discovered" Bjork while on an official visit to Iceland with the late President Francois Mitterrand in 1990."At that time, she was unknown," Lang said, adding that he's been a fan ever since.

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The 35-year-old singer won the best-actress award for her role in Lars von Trier's "Dancer in the Dark" at the 2000 Cannes Film Festival.

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