OREANDA-NEWS. December 23, 2010. As it is reported by the press service of the International Bank of Azerbaijan (IBA), a high-society ceremonial Christmas reception took place on 14 December, 2010 at the residence of the Austrian emperors - the Hofburg Palace (Vienna, Austria). It was held at the initiative of the European Business Assembly (Oxford, UK) – an International Corporation on the development and implementation of projects for economic and social development of regions in the Eastern Europe. The main mission of the organization is to create real conditions for integration of corporations, associations and enterprises in the European Economic Community, reported the press-centre of IBA.

IBA systematically conducts international forums, conferences, business meetings in different parts of the world and it is a founder of several prestigious European awards and prizes that gained wide popularity and confidence among the business communities, including the International Socrates Award. The award is presented to business leaders for their personal contribution to the success and development of their country. The award is presented in six categories, including the "Economy and Business" category.

The report says that one of more than a hundred and fifty leading businessmen, financiers, analysts, academics, principals of institutions of higher education and public figures from Austria, Britain, Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Estonia, Macedonia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Russia, Ukraine, Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan and other countries, representing at the event the business elite from different continents of the world and increasing the number of holders of the prestigious European award, was the Chairman of Board of the International Bank of Azerbaijan - Jahangir Hajiyev. The award was presented to J. Hajiyev for high professional achievements throughout the year and participation in the charity and social welfare projects. High honorable distinctions with the wishes of further success in leadership were presented by Professor Wil Gudheyer - the President of the Club of Rectors.

Among the European Business Assembly prize winners there are such world-known companies as “Rosneft” (Russia), Effat College (Saudi Arabia), R & M Industrial Services (Poland) and others.