MOSCOW. March 23 (Interfax) - Russian President Vladimir Putin has awarded the Order for Merit to the Fatherland First Class to Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov.
The minister received the state award "for outstanding merit in the implementation of the foreign policy of the Russian Federation and the longstanding diplomatic career," says the decree posted on the official portal of legal information.
Earlier Lavrov was awarded the Order for Merit to the Fatherland Fourth, Third and Second Class.
He was appointed as the Russian Foreign Minister in March 2004.
Lavrov turned 65 last Saturday.