Talgat Mussabayev awarded with French Legion of Honor Order

ASTANA. November 1. KAZINFORM /Sara Kabikyzy/ Pilot-cosmonaut, National Hero of Kazakhstan, Lieutenant General of the Republic of Kazakhstan, Chairman of Kazakhstan's National Space Agency Talgat Mussabayev has been awarded with the Order of the French Legion of Honor .

The decision on admission of the Head of Kazkosmos into the French Legion of Honor was taken by President of France in early October. The ceremony of awarding the Order took place in Paris during the official visit of the Kazakh President to this country.

Awarding the Order of French Legion of Honor to Talgat Mussabayev, Anne-Marie Idrac, State Secretary for Foreign Trade of France, welcomed the new member of the Order saying: "On behalf of the President of France and by virtue of the authorities given to us, You are admitted into the Legion of Honor of France".

Congratulating T. Mussabayev, Mrs. Idrak noted his significant merits as a cosmonaut. "The President of France chose you taking into consideration Your bright career, three space flights in 1994, 1998 and 2001. These flights continued the traditions of the Soviet cosmonauts and let the world know about sovereign Republic of Kazakhstan", she said.

President Nursultan Nazarbayev, members of the official delegations of Kazakhstan and France congratulated T. Mussabayev on the high award.