2025 has seen the establishment of the Muhammad Fuzuli Medal, by decision of the Secretariat of the Azerbaijan Union of Writers. 

Regulations of the medal state that it is to be awarded exclusively to foreign poets and writers for "high literary achievement." Nominees are to be selected from writers whose literary achievements are recognized and appreciated both in their own country and abroad, as well as from literary figures who are distinguished for their promotion and translation of Azerbaijani literature and national achievements within their own country and internationally.

The medal is in bronze, with a bas-relief of Muhammad Fuzuli at its centre; it is accompanied by a specially prepared diploma.

The head of the committee that will award the Muhammad Fuzuli Medal is Salim Babullaoghlu, Secretary for International Affairs of the Union of Writers.

In a brief statement to the media, he said: "Last year marked the 530th anniversary of the birth of our brilliant poet Muhammad Fuzuli, and 2024 was declared the Year of Fuzuli by decree of the esteemed Ilham Aliyev, President of the Republic of Azerbaijan. Numerous events were held at both national and international level within the framework of that year. Many books and studies were published, and conferences and symposiums were held, including those by the Union of Writers. The establishment of this medal, which will be awarded to up to three foreign writers annually, is a logical conclusion to the Year of Fuzuli.

By decision of the Secretariat of the Azerbaijan Union of Writers, the Muhammad Fuzuli Medal will be awarded this year to two outstanding individuals: the great Kazakh poet, writer and thinker Olzhas Suleimenov, and the renowned Romanian poet and scholar Ion Deaconescu, also President of the Mihai Eminescu International Academy. Olzhas Suleimenov is well known to the Azerbaijani public for his writing; he is appreciated in Azerbaijan as much as our own classical writers. Olzhas agha is also a great friend of our country. Furthermore, this year will mark the 50th anniversary of his celebrated work "Az i Ya." Ion Deaconescu is a well-known poet and literary figure, recognized both in his own country and in Eastern Europe. He is also a friend of our nation. He has facilitated presentations of our country and our writers at many literary events in Romania and is highly respectful of Turks, Azerbaijan and Azerbaijanis.

These first medals will be presented to their recipients in May of this year, with reports to follow in the media."