Mirziyoyev, Aliyev receive top state orders

Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.uz) — Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev and Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev have been awarded the highest state orders of their respective countries at a ceremony held at the Kuksaroy residence, the Uzbek presidential press service said.

Aliyev was presented with Uzbekistan’s Oliy Darajali Do‘stlik Order, while Mirziyoyev received Azerbaijan’s Heydar Aliyev Order.

Presenting Aliyev with Uzbekistan’s highest state award, Mirziyoyev highlighted the Azerbaijani president’s personal contribution to strengthening friendship, strategic partnership and alliance relations between the two countries.

The Uzbek president also said Aliyev was continuing the work of his father, prominent statesman Heydar Aliyev. Mirziyoyev noted that under Ilham Aliyev’s leadership, Azerbaijan has achieved significant results in its development and on the international stage.

Particular emphasis was placed on Aliyev’s contribution to expanding multifaceted Uzbek-Azerbaijani relations. The ceremony noted that he had been at the origins of the alliance relations between the two countries.

Aliyev, in turn, expressed gratitude to Uzbekistan’s leadership and people for the high recognition and voiced confidence that cooperation between the two countries would continue to strengthen on the basis of friendship and mutual respect.

The Heydar Aliyev Order was presented to Mirziyoyev by the Azerbaijani president. The Uzbek leader thanked Aliyev and the people of Azerbaijan, saying he regarded the award as recognition of joint efforts to strengthen relations based on eternal friendship, strategic partnership and alliance.

Mirziyoyev emphasized the special significance of the order, named after Heydar Aliyev, who devoted his life to serving Azerbaijan and laid the foundation for the country’s further development.

The ceremony also highlighted Heydar Aliyev’s attitude toward the history and culture of Uzbekistan and his contribution to bringing the two peoples closer together.

The two presidents expressed confidence in further expanding cooperation between Uzbekistan and Azerbaijan across all areas and giving bilateral relations new practical substance.

The Heydar Aliyev Order has also been awarded in previous years to French President Jacques Chirac, Emir of Kuwait Sabah Al-Sabah, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, Italian President Sergio Mattarella and other statesmen.