On April 13 Moscow held the awards ceremony for giving the international award "Stars of the Commonwealth". This award is given annually for achievements in the spheres of education, science, culture, the arts and other activities promoting cultural cooperation between the countries of the Commonwealth of Independent States.
I am deeply convinced that cultural and educational connections are no less important than economic ones. This is a sphere where we do not have any obstacles or barriers.This is a sincere wish of our citizens and people that was always supported by the political will of the governments.
In my opinion, the development of humanitarian connections is indispensable for the process of integration. I am very glad that I can welcome the President of the Heydar Aliyev Fund, Mrs Mekhriban Aliyeva, who gives us a lot of her energy and warmth to promote human values, friendship and understanding among our countries and nations.
The award for exceptional contribution in the development of the humanitarian connection and large-scale charity activity goes to Mekhriban Aliyeva.
Mekhriban Aliyeva, President of the Heydar Aliyev Fund, UNESCO and ISESCO Goodwill Ambassador
Dear Sergei Evgeniyevich, dear ladies and gentlemen, dear friends! First of all, I would like to thank the International Council and Commonwealth Humanitarian Cooperation Fund for giving me the award "Stars of the Commonwealth" and for their high evaluation of my activity. I see this award as a recognition of the achievements of contemporary Azerbaijan and the significant contribution of my country in supporting the traditional friendship between our countries and nations. It is very important that, when our countries became independent, the positive tendencies of good-neighborly relations and cooperation remained. As you know, Azerbaijan is geographically located in the center of Eurasia and for many centuries our country combines the influence of different cultures and civilizations.We are always ready to support humanitarian cooperation and dialogue. And our capital - Baku - is now one of the centers of intercultural dialogue. This can be confirmed by the number of international conferences devoted to this acute topic. Last year Baku held the first Russian-Azerbaijan humanitarian forum that was transformed into an annual international humanitarian forum.
Dear friends, it is obvious that in our difficult and controversial world we often simply miss understanding, tolerance and respect. In my opinion, to strengthen trust, to find understanding, to solve the problems, we need to work together based on eternal human values - morality, spirituality, tolerance, faith and compassion. The development of the cultural connections and large-scale projects in the sphere of education, science, culture, the same as economic collaboration, contribute to the peaceful prosperity of our countries.
The international award "Stars of the Commonwealth" for humanitarian activity goes to the Head of the Bakulev cardio-surgical scientific center of the Russian Academy of Science, Head of the Russian non-governmental organization "League of the National Health" Leo Bokeria, from the Russian Federation. Leo Bokeria is a recognized scholar, member of the Russian Academy of Sciences and the Russian Academy of Medical Sciences, Head of the Bakulev Cardio-surgical Center and the founder of the Russian Cardiology School. For eight years he has been the President of the Russian non-governmental organization "League of National Health". He cooperates with the leading cardiology centers of the Commonwealth. He contributed to the establishment of the permanent tele-medical connection with Belarus, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan and Ukraine to enable consultations about the most difficult patients. Leo Bokeria has numerous prestigious Russian and international awards and is a member of several national and foreign professional associations. The award for outstanding contribution in the development of the Russian cardiology and surgery and large-scale charity activity on the territory of the Commonwealth goes to Leo Bokeria.
Leo Bokeria, Head of the Bakulev Center of Cardio-Surgery, Russian Academy of Medical Sciences
Dear Sergey Evgeniyevich, ladies and gentlemen, you know, this award brought me back to the years of my youth when we all were together, and these two days have preserved this feeling. I would like to thank our government that appreciated the efforts of the Bakulev Cardio-Surgical Center and of the organization "League of National Health" to promote health and prolong life. Big thanks to the Fund that appreciated our activity so highly.
The international award "Stars of the Commonwealth" in the sphere of art for 2011 goes to the poet and public figure Razmik Davoyan, from Armenia. His poetic talent is unique. After the publication of his first books his name became famous in Armenia as well as other countries. He has more than 40 books of prose and poetry, as well as some poetry published in some prestigious anthologies that have brought him recognition among the most sophisticated lovers of poetry. Some of his works are now part of school and university curricula, dissertations are written about him, his name is included in the big French encyclopedic dictionary. He deserved his numerous awards. The award for exceptional contribution to the literary heritage of the Commonwealth goes to Razmik Davoyan.
Razmik Davoyan, poet and public activist
Ladies and gentlemen, I am of course excited to receive this high award from the hands of the Chairman of the Russian Duma and to say important words to important people. But before that I would like to congratulate the Russian nation on the election of the President of a powerful country. These congratulations are very sincere, because I believe this event to be very important. But I would like to direct my words of gratitude to those wonderful poets who translated my poetry and made it accessible for Russian and Russian-speaking readers. They are brilliant poets - Robert Rozhdestvensky, Vladimir Sokolov and many others. They are not with us anymore but I hope that their wives will hear my words. I thank the organizers of this award. I said that the powerful Russian state had initiated the revival of a big family and this difficult task can only be managed by Russia. I am grateful to Russia for reviving this idea of a big family. Thank you all.
Other laureates of 2011 are Siit Kazakbasov, Kazakhstan, for achievements in the sphere of science and education; Anatoly Ermolenko, the artistic director of the "Syabry" musical group, Belarus; actor and director Muhammad-Ali Mahmadov, Tajikistan; Ibragim Junusov, Kirghiz Minister of Culture and Tourism.
