The President said the years of his living in Moscow are largely connected with the MGIMO. "It is my great pleasure to meet the Rector of the education hearth in which I once studied and taught."

He stressed the importance of Prof. Torkunov's visit in terms of enhancement of cooperation between MGIMO and the Diplomatic Academy newly established in the Republic, various educational establishments of Azerbaijan and Russia, as well as the two countries' foreign ministries.

Prof. Torkunov said he was deeply impressed with development in Azerbaijan. He announced that a 19-member Honorary Doctors Club had been founded at the Moscow Institute of Foreign Relations. "The Institute is proud that one of those 19 is the world known political figure and statesman Ilham Aliyev," he said.

Prof. Torkunov presented the Azerbaijani leader with a medal instituted by the MGIMO Scientific Council for services to development of the institute and contributions to training of diplomatic personnel, and the MGIMO Alumni Association Board's Golden Badge for highest results in scientific, political and business activities. AzerTAg