Boris Tadic, presidential candidate and leader of the Democratic Party (DS), received in Belgrade on Thursday the international award 'For contribution to peace and democracy' awarded by the Ilyas Efendiev foundation.

President of the Foundation Tural Efendiev pointed out that during Tadic's mandate as the Serbian president, Serbia demonstrated its firm stand as regards active integration into Euro-Atlantic structures and added that the EU candidate status came as the logical outcome of such efforts.

Your life path and political activity are closely connected to the people of Serbia who chose the path of deep European reforms, Efendiev said and added that the international community primarily underscores Serbia's role in the reinforcement of stability and peace in the region.

Only a capable politician who has a strategic opinion and the support of his nation can overcome the bloody heritage of war and create an atmosphere of peace both in the country and the region for the sake of his own people within a short period of time, Efendiev said.

He pointed out that Serbia undertook some important steps in many areas of life thanks to Tadic's adequately directed political activity over the past five years.

Serbia has adopted important laws aimed at development of democratic grounds of the Serbian statehood and institutions of the civil society and implementation of reforms in economy and social sphere, he underscored and added that this all contributed to an increase in trust in Serbia and an important hike in foreign investments.

In the context of Serbia's higher authority, the foundation prepared a large-scale charity project which has been calculated to five years, Efendiev said and added that the fund should open its branch office in Belgrade and that the project covers the areas of setting up healthcare protection and social engineering.

The DS leader underscored that the award he received belongs to all Serbian citizens, regardless of their confession and ethnicity, and that he is honoured by the fact that he received the award on their behalf.
According to him, the award constitutes the blend of cultures, efforts invested in establishment of democracy, human freedoms and building trust among nations.

Just a couple of years ago, Serbia and Azerbaijan took their relations to a higher level which soon brought their political relations and human connections to the level of strategic partnership, and this partnership remains deeply rooted in the relations between the two countries and nations, Tadic said and underscored that he is honoured by the fact that he could witness the creation of the bilateral cooperation's recent history.

The laureates of the international NGO which was established in honour of the famous Azerbaijani author Ilias Efendiev, comprise Republika Srpska Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan, former Bulgarian president Georgi Prvanov and Slovenian President Danilo Turk.

Upon the delivery of the award, Tadic conferred with the delegation of Azerbaijan comprising Deputy Prime Minister Elchin Efendiyev, president of the Administration of Caucus Muslims Shaykh al-Islam Alahsukur Pasazade, Bishop of the Diocese of Baku and Azerbaijan Alexander Ishenin and Azerbaijani Ambassador to Serbia Eldar Hasanov.