Leyla Aliyeva presented with Medal of Pushkin - UPDATE - VIDEO
By Nigar Orujova
Russian leader Vladimir Putin presented the Medal of Pushkin to the Vice President of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation and head of the Foundation’s representation in Russia, Leyla Aliyeva, on November 4.
The awarding ceremony took place during a reception to mark the Russian National Unity Day. The Russian president presented state awards to several foreign citizens, honoring their contribution to the strengthening of their countries' cooperation, mutual understanding, and friendship with Russia.
Leyla Aliyeva thanked President Putin for “highly appreciating” her activities.
Aliyeva noted that the monument to the great Russian poet Alexander Pushkin, installed in the center of Baku, was a symbol of the Azerbaijani people's deep respect for Russian culture, literature, and art.
“Russian-Azerbaijani relations have deep historical roots and are developing successfully today. Cooperation in the humanitarian sphere is an integral part of our bilateral relations. Azerbaijan has fully preserved education in the Russian language; there are more than 300 schools teaching in Russian, in addition to Baku Slavic University, the Baku branch of Moscow State University. This year, the first overseas branch of Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University opened its doors to students in Baku,” said Aliyeva.
Aliyeva stressed that the Azerbaijani nation cherished the tradition of cultural and humanitarian cooperation with Russia.
“I am so happy that I have made a small contribution to the strengthening of friendship ties and good neighborly relations between the two countries,” she remarked.
Aliyeva expressed her deepest gratitude to Vladimir Putin for giving her the highest award. “I wish happiness, peace, and prosperity to you and all the people of Russia.”
Aliyeva was awarded for her contribution to strengthening Azerbaijan’s friendship and cooperation with the Russian Federation, the development of economic ties, and the preservation and popularization of the Russian language and culture abroad.
The Medal of Pushkin is awarded for socio-humanitarian activities and achievements in the arts and culture, education, humanities, and literature and for great contributions to the study and preservation of the country's cultural heritage, in the rapprochement and mutual enrichment of cultures of nations and peoples, for the creation of highly artistic images.
In December 2013, Leyla Aliyeva was also honored with the Order of the Holy Equal to the Apostles Duchess Olga of the third degree for her contribution to the construction of a monument for Saint Prince Vladimir in the southern Russian city of Astrakhan and for her role in strengthening the friendship between Russia and Azerbaijan.