Azernews.Az

By Nazrin Gadimova

President of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation, and UNESCO and ISESCO Goodwill Ambassador Mehriban Aliyeva was awarded for strengthening inter-civilization dialogue and promoting the Turkic world in Germany.

The Turkish-German Friendship Federation awarded Azerbaijan's First Lady for her contribution to developing Azerbaijan-Germany relations.

Organized by the Turkish-German Friendship Federation, the awarding ceremony was held at the Bavarian State Parliament.

Addressing the ceremony, President of the Turkish-German Friendship Federation Cehan Sendan thanked Mehriban Aliyeva for her services.

"How can we emphasize her activities? How can we promote Turkey-Azerbaijan and Azerbaijan-Germany friendship through our Federation? By awarding her, we are showing our appreciation for her efforts in this process," he said.

Receiving the award on behalf of Mehriban Aliyeva, Azerbaijani Ambassador to Germany Parviz Shahbazov thanked the Federation and invited its management to pay a visit to Azerbaijan.

Shahbazov also highlighted Azerbaijan's achievements, saying that the country is known worldwide for its rich history, culture, music, arts, and tolerance.

He said the Heydar Aliyev Foundation had carried out a number of important projects in Germany, particularly holding Contemporary Art and Fly to Baku exhibitions in Berlin, and Azerbaijani culture evenings in Munich, Cologne, Stuttgart, and Hamburg.

Speaking at the event, Vice-President of the Bavarian State Parliament Inge Aures hailed Heydar Aliyev Foundation's assistance in building schools and restoring religious monuments.

Minister for Economic Affairs and Energy and Vice Chancellor of Germany Sigmar Gabriel, artist Bulent Ceylan, and President of Bavarian Football Association Rainer Koch were among those who received the Federation's award this year.

In his remarks, Koch also praised the activities of the Azerbaijani First Lady.

Famous public figures such as German Chancellor Angela Merkel, former German President Johannes Rau, former President of the German Federal Parliament Rita Süssmuth, former Chairwoman of the German Green Party Claudia Roth, former Turkish leader Suleyman Demirel, and Bavarian Prime Minister Günther Beckstein have also received this prestigious award.