Azerbaijani President declared the "Person of the Year 2009"

Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev has been declared the "Person of the Year 2009". This annual Russian Grand Prix is being awarded to the people who most vividly prove themselves in the political, social, governmental spheres of their countries during the year.

The Award ceremony which took place on February 25th, in Kremlin, has been established by the Russian information agency "RBC".

"Person of the Year" - is a man, who represents a valuable country development tendency and forms country's future, say the prize founders.

Laureates of the award are determined by representative advisory council which includes prominent politicians, public and political figures, heads of major companies, scientists and cultural figures and media representatives.

Many members of the advisory council have themselves won the "Person of the Year" award, as people who have made a significant contribution to development of their country. Among them - Sergei Lavrov, Arkady Dvorkovich, German Gref, Vladimir Yakunin, Alexei Miller, Alexander Shokhin, Yuri Lyubimov, Mark Zakharov, Galina Vishnevskaya, Iosif Kobzon, Konstantin Ernst, Vladislav Tretiak and others.

"Person of the Year" Prize is being awarded in socio-political and business spheres, as well as in special nominations. The highest award is the Grand Prix.

Its owners are awarded "Glory of the Fatherland" order.

Selection of winners was held on the backdrop of economic crisis, which largely determined the composition of the winners. Most of the winners were awarded due to successfully overcoming the crisis.