BISHKEK, Nov. 22 (Xinhua) -- Kyrgyz President Almazbek Atambayev awarded Russian President Vladimir Putin the highest state award of the republic -- the Manas Order of the First Degree, the presidential press service reported Wednesday.
Atambayev signed a decree to award the Manas Order of the First Degree to Putin "for his outstanding contribution to strengthening the strategic partnership and developing the alliance between the Kyrgyz Republic and the Russian Federation," according to a release of the office.
The Manas Order was established in 1996 as the highest state award of Kyrgyzstan. It has three degrees and is awarded to individuals for their outstanding contribution to the protection and strengthening of the state and democratic society, the unity of the people, and the economic, spiritual and intellectual potential of the country.
Before Putin, other big-name winners of the award included renowned Kyrgyz writer Chyngyz Aitmatov and former United Nations (UN) Secretary-General Kofi Annan. Enditem
