On December 2, 2022, the National Academy of Sciences of Azerbaijan hosted the ceremony of awarding Prof. Dr. Shahin Mustafayev, the President of the Turkic Academy, with the Dustlik Order by the Decree of the President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev.
Speaking at the event, President of the National Academy of Sciences of Azerbaijan, Isa Habibbeyli noted that friendly, fraternal relations between Azerbaijan and Uzbekistan are important for the Turkic world and are an example for the world community. He underlined that the high level of ties is due to the wide opportunities for cooperation opened by the President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev and the President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev. He stressed that the awarding of Shahin Mustafayev with the Dustlik Order of Uzbekistan is the result of his merits in the establishment and development of scientific and cultural ties between Azerbaijan and Uzbekistan over many years. At the end of his speech, President of the National Academy of Sciences of Azerbaijan wished Mustafayev success in further activities to deepen scientific integration among the Turkic states as the President of the Turkic Academy, located in Astana. Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Uzbekistan to the Republic of Azerbaijan Bakhrom Ashrafkhanov also congratulated Shahin Mustafayev on his appointment as President of the Turkic Academy, and awarded him with the “Dustlik” Order of Uzbekistan in accordance with the Decree of President Shavkat Mirziyoyev dated August 30, 2022. In his turn, Shahin Mustafayev expressed deep gratitude to the President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev for the highest award. He noted that, while working in Samarkand as the Director of the International Institute for Central Asian Studies (UNESCO), he visited many ancient cities of Uzbekistan, got closely acquainted with the hospitality and culture of the fraternal Uzbek people. The President of the Academy emphasized the high level of relations between the brotherly countries and said that it is the result of the policy of brotherhood and cooperation carried out by the Presidents of the two countries, Ilham Aliyev and Shavkat Mirziyoyev. He also highlighted the role of outstanding orientalist scholar Ziya Buniyatov, who greatly contributed to Uzbek historiography and the development of close ties between the scientific communities of Azerbaijan and Uzbekistan. He said that as the President of the Turkic Academy, he would continue to contribute to the enrichment of scientific ties with Uzbekistan. Speakers at the event, including Doctors of Historical Sciences Solmaz Rustamova-Tokhidi and Irada Bagirova, spoke about the rich scientific and organizational activities carried out by Shahin Mustafayev, and wished him success in his new position.
