Speaking with Mr Pasha-zade by telephone, President Medvedev wished him good health, prosperity and success in his noble service and said that he signed an executive order yesterday awarding him the Order of Honour. The President noted that this decoration recognizes the value of his educational and spiritual mission, his active involvement in interfaith dialogue, and his contribution to building up Russian-Azerbaijani cooperation.
Mr Pasha-zade thanked Mr Medvedev for his congratulations and for the decoration, and expressed his firm commitment to continue to work actively to strengthen the friendship, understanding and trust between the Russian and Azerbaijani peoples.
The President also sent Mr Pasha-zade a congratulatory message, in which he said, in part:
“You have headed the Board of Caucasus Muslims for many years now and have made a great personal contribution to spiritual education. You have deserved respect and influence in Russia and Azerbaijan and throughout the CIS. We value your contribution to developing Russian-Azerbaijani relations. Our countries share not just a substantial political dialogue and fruitful economic cooperation but also longstanding traditions of friendship and good-neighbourliness. We will continue to preserve and build on these traditions in the name of peace and prosperity and for the benefit of future generations.
I have warm recollections of our meetings and our sincere and interested contact. I hope to continue this useful and friendly dialogue.”