On March 15, Russian President Vladimir Putin awarded the Order of
Alexander Nevsky to Gurragchaa J., a Mongolian cosmonaut and head of the
Mongolian-Russian Friendship Association, for his contribution to the
development of a comprehensive strategic partnership between Russia and
Mongolia and the strengthening of friendship between the two peoples.
Vladimir Putin's decree says that "Gurragchaa Jugderdemid, a citizen of Mongolia, president of the Mongolian-Russian Friendship Association, should be awarded the Order of Alexander Nevsky for his contribution to the development of a comprehensive partnership between Russia and Mongolia." The medal was presented in Moscow by Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov.
During the award ceremony, Sergei Lavrov said: "On behalf of
President Vladimir Putin, I am very pleased to present the Order of Alexander
Nevsky to the great son of the Mongolian people, friend of the Russian people, Gurragchaa
J."
Gurragchaa Jugderdemid became the second person
from Asia to fly into space, and 101st in the world, and the first Mongolian to
be awarded the Alexander Nevsky Order of the Russian Federation.