TALLINN, Estonia: Estonia is set to bestow former President George W. Bush with the country's highest civil award given to a foreigner for supporting its bid to join NATO in 2004.

President Toomas Hendrik Ilves on Wednesday said Bush will be decorated with the Order of the Cross of Terra Mariana for being "a friend and supporter" of Estonia's foreign and security policy during his term in office.

Ilves says the award is the most honorable homage Estonia can pay to people whose work has made it "better, safer and richer."

It was not immediately clear whether Bush will attend the award ceremony in Tallinn just ahead of Estonia's Independence Day on Feb. 24.

Former Presidents George H.W. Bush and Bill Clinton have previously received the same award.