Moscow, April 13 (AZERTAC). “Stars of the Commonwealth” Inter-governmental award was presented to Azerbaijan’s First Lady, President of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation, UNESCO and ISESCO Goodwill Ambassador, MP Mehriban Aliyeva in Moscow.

Mehriban Aliyeva was presented this high award for her humanitarian activity. The presentation ceremony was held at Pashkov House of the Russian State Library.

The award, founded by CIS Humanitarian Cooperation Council and CIS Inter-governmental Foundation for Humanitarian Cooperation, was presented to Mehriban Aliyeva by Chairperson of the Russian State Duma Sergei Naryshkin.

Opening the ceremony, Naryshkin spoke about the importance of humanitarian and inter-culture cooperation between the CIS countries. He said the winners of Stars of the Commonwealth award contribute to this cooperation. Naryshkin said Mehriban Aliyeva makes great contribution to educational, social, cultural, humanitarian cooperation, as well as to the process of integration of CIS peoples.

"I am delighted to welcome the President of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation Mrs. Mehriban Aliyeva, who spared no effort, energy, emotional warmth to preserve human values, in the name of friendship and understanding between our countries and peoples. We know that Mrs. Aliyeva was awarded the honorary title of Goodwill Ambassador of UNESCO and ISESCO, the World Health Organization Award for her contributions to strengthening the health of mothers and families, as well as the development of the Olympic movement in Azerbaijan,” said Naryshkin.

Mehriban Aliyeva said she accepted this award as an attention and respect to the achievements of Azerbaijan in various spheres. "I appreciate this award as recognition of the merits of modern Azerbaijan and contribution of my country to the strengthening traditionally friendly relations between our countries and peoples," Mrs. Aliyeva said.

She said it is important that “during the formation of our countries as independent states such positive trends, both good-neighbourliness and cooperation have been preserved and strengthened”.

"Azerbaijan is located in the heart of Eurasia, and for many centuries, our country has been combining traces of different cultures and civilizations.”

Mehriban Aliyeva emphasized that a year ago Baku hosted the first Russian-Azerbaijani Humanitarian Forum, which later evolved into an annual international humanitarian event. “We are living in a complex, difficult and contradictory world and sometimes feel a lack of simple understanding, tolerance and respect,” Mehriban Aliyeva said.

"In my opinion, only by working side-by-side, by taking as a principle universal values such as morality, humanity, faith and compassion, and, of course, strengthening humanitarian and cultural ties, we can build confidence, find understanding and create mechanisms to solve the problems. Large-scaled projects in the field of education, science and culture as well as the strengthening of economic ties contribute to our countries’ aspiration towards peace and prosperity,” said Mrs. Aliyeva.

The awarding ceremony was addressed by the ambassador of Azerbaijan to Russia Polad Bulbuloglu, Russia`s Special Presidential Envoy for International Cultural Cooperation Mikhail Shvydkoi, Head of the CIS Executive Committee Sergei Lebedev, Head of the Office of the State Duma Pollyieva Jahan.

Honored Artist Svyatoslav Belza hosted the solemn ceremony.

The event ended with a concert of the Vladimir Spivakov orchestra. Young Azerbaijani violinist Elvin Ganiyev also performed in the concert.

First Lady of Azerbaijan, President Heydar Aliyev Foundation, Goodwill Ambassador of UNESCO and ISESCO, MP Mehriban Aliyeva is well-known at home and abroad by her charity activities. Large-scale projects, implemented by the Heydar Aliyev Foundation cover all vital areas such as the education, science, culture, ecology, sports and religion. Construction of new hospitals and schools, restoration of mosques, temples and religious monuments of other faiths, the revival of cultural traditions, promotion of contemporary art and cultural heritage are among her activities.

Mehriban Aliyeva is a member of the Executive Committee of the National Olympic Committee, President of Azerbaijan Gymnastics Federation. For her wide-scale charity activities in 2007 Mehriban Aliyeva was presented the World Health Organization award and the International Prize "Golden Heart".

Mehriban Aliyeva is actively involved in strengthening the role of women in society, protecting and promoting the health of the mother and family. She initiated the construction of the unique Mugham Center and the Museum of Modern Art in Baku. The World Forum on Intercultural Dialogue was held in Baku in 2011.

Mrs. Aliyeva has received many awards for her humanitarian work, including France’s prestigious Legion d’Honneur and the UNESCO Mozart Medal "for strengthening the intercultural dialogue” in 2010. Also in 2010 she was presented the prize For Service to the Turkic World.

Last year Mrs. Aliyeva was awarded the gold medal of the Crans Montana Forum.

Mrs. Aliyeva graduated from the First Moscow State Medical University after Sechenov and now is Professor Emeritus of this University.

She is the Head of the Organizing Committee for the International Music Contest "Eurovision-2012".

“Stars of the Commonwealth” award annually honours prominent figures for scientific, educational, cultural and humanitarian activities.

The awarding ceremony was attended by the previous winners of the award, representatives of CIS, ministries and agencies of the CIS countries, and diplomats.