On June 17, Hakan Fidan, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Türkiye, visited the university. MGIMO Rector Anatoly Torkunov welcomed the high-ranking guest. During the visit, Hakan Fidan was awarded an Honorary Doctorate during a formal ceremony.

Rector Anatoly Torkunov and Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan discussed expanding educational cooperation between MGIMO and universities in the Republic of Türkiye. At the talks were present Dmitry Lyubinsky, Deputy Foreign Minister of the Russian Federation; Tanju Bilgiç, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Türkiye to the Russian Federation; Stanislav Surovtsev, Vice-Rector for Students’ Development and International Affairs; and members of the delegation of the Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Introducing the guest of honor to faculty and students, Rector Anatoly Torkunov highlighted Minister Fidan’s distinguished and multifaceted career. His extensive professional background spans service in the Turkish Armed Forces, senior government leadership, and academic and teaching contributions. "It is particularly significant for us that the Minister is deeply connected to the academic community as an accomplished international relations scholar," Rector Torkunov noted. He emphasized that educational partnerships play a pivotal role in strengthening bilateral ties, pointing to a surging interest in Türkiye among MGIMO students. Today, over 220 students at the university study the Turkish language, with many choosing it as their third foreign language.

Rector Torkunov announced that the conclusion of the spring semester was highlighted by a milestone event: in recognition of Minister Hakan Fidan’s outstanding contributions to international cooperation, the University Academic Council unanimously voted to confer upon him the title of Honorary Doctor of MGIMO. Rector Torkunov presented the distinguished guest with the doctoral gown and diploma before inviting him to deliver the traditional doctoral lecture.

Minister Fidan expressed his gratitude to Rector Torkunov for the honor of receiving an honorary doctorate from such a prestigious institution. He praised MGIMO's high reputation and storied history, noting that for over 80 years, the university has trained the diplomats, scholars, and statesmen who shape modern international relations.

Minister Fidan paid tribute to the memory of Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Andrey Karlov, a 1976 MGIMO graduate who served his country with exceptional dedication. "His legacy stands as a testament to the unifying power of diplomacy and the high ideals that this institution instills across generations of graduates," the Minister noted.

During his lecture, Minister Fidan addressed the dynamic evolution of the Russian-Turkish partnership and shared his insights on the polycentric nature of modern international relations, emphasizing that there is no longer room for single-power hegemony. "The Turkish perspective has always been clear: the European security architecture without Russia will remain incomplete. Long-term stability cannot be built on a foundation that excludes one of the continent's key actors," Minister Fidan stated.

The lecture concluded with a Q&A session. Students engaged the Minister with questions on the evolution of Russian-Turkish relations, Türkiye's role in regional and integration processes, and his personal professional experience. Closing the event, Rector Torkunov expressed his gratitude to Minister Fidan for his insightful presentation and his candid responses to the students' questions.

The ceremony was also attended by MGIMO leadership and faculty, including Vice-Rector for Science and Research Andrey Baykov; Director of the International Institute of Energy Policy and Diplomacy Valery Salygin; Advisor to the Rectorate and Deputy Vice-Rector Vyacheslav Sutyrin; Advisor to the Rectorate Andrey Reshetnyak; Dean of the School of International Business Vladimir Shapovalov; Dean of the School of International Journalism Yaroslav Skvortsov; Dean of the School of Doctoral Studies Maxim Inozemtsev; and faculty members and researchers from the university's departments.