President Shavkat Mirziyoyev was awarded the "Heydar Aliyev" Order, and President Ilham Aliyev was awarded the "Highest Degree of Friendship" Order.

A ceremony of awarding the Presidents of Uzbekistan and Azerbaijan with the highest state awards of the two countries took place at the Kuksaroy residence.

 

 

The President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Ilham Aliyev, was awarded the highest state award of the Republic of Uzbekistan – the "Order of Supreme Friendship".

 

 

While presenting the prestigious award, Shavkat Mirziyoyev noted that this decision is an expression of the sincere respect and recognition of the people of Uzbekistan for the President of Azerbaijan's services in strengthening the friendship, strategic partnership, and alliance relations between our brotherly countries:

 

You are worthily continuing the work of your great father – the prominent statesman Heydar Aliyev. Thanks to the prudent reforms under your leadership, Azerbaijan is achieving great success in development and on the international stage.

 

Ilham Aliyev's contribution to expanding the multifaceted Uzbekistan-Azerbaijan relations was also noted with particular satisfaction. 

 

In turn, the President of Azerbaijan expressed gratitude to the leader and people of Uzbekistan for the high recognition and expressed confidence that comprehensive cooperation in the spirit of friendship and mutual respect will be further strengthened.

 

 

Following this, the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan, Shavkat Mirziyoyev, was awarded the highest state award of Azerbaijan – the "Heydar Aliyev" Order. The award was presented to Shavkat Mirziyoyev by the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Ilham Aliyev.

 

The leader of Uzbekistan expressed deep gratitude to the President of Azerbaijan and the brotherly Azerbaijani people, emphasizing that he accepts this award as a high assessment of the joint efforts to strengthen the bonds of eternal friendship, strategic partnership, and alliance.

 

 

This order holds special significance for me. It bears the name of the great statesman Heydar Aliyevich Aliyev, who devoted his entire life to serving his homeland. It was this man who created a solid foundation for the future development of Azerbaijan, – said Shavkat Mirziyoyev.

 

It was noted that Heydar Aliyev highly valued the history and culture of Uzbekistan and made a significant contribution to the rapprochement of the two peoples.

 

 

Confidence was expressed that Uzbekistan and Azerbaijan will continue to expand cooperation in all spheres in the future, and that fraternal relations will be enriched with new practical content.

 

 

It is worth noting that over the years, the "Heydar Aliyev" Order has been awarded to French President Jacques Chirac, Emir of Kuwait Sabah Al-Sabah, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Italian President Sergio Mattarella, and many other statesmen.