A ceremony has been held at the Cankaya Kosku presidential residence in Ankara to award the Presidents of Azerbaijan and Turkey.
The ceremony first heard the decision of the Cabinet of Turkey to award President Ilham Aliyev with the Order of State of the Turkish Republic, and the Executive Order of the Azerbaijani President to confer Heydar Aliyev Order upon President Abdullah Gul.
The President of Turkey presented President Ilham Aliyev with the Order of State.
The Head of State handed over Heydar Aliyev Order to President of Turkey Abdullah Gul.
Presidents Abdullah Gul and Ilham Aliyev then addressed the ceremony.
The President of Azerbaijan and his spouse Mehriban Aliyeva, and the President of Turkey and his spouse Hayrunnise Gul posed for photographs.
The highest award of the Republic of Turkey, the Order of State was established in 1998. It is awarded by the decision of the Council of Ministers based on recommendations of the President of Turkey. It is given to foreign presidents for their contribution to expanding friendly and close relations with Turkey.

AzerTAc