Moscow - Russian President Dmitri Medvedev presented the Pushkin Medal on Monday to Mexican ballerina Sonia Amelio during the awards ceremony for the prestigious prize recognizing the achievements of foreigners.

"It is very pleasing that your work with Russia has become a part of your destiny," Medvedev told the Pushkin Medal recipients.

The prize, which is awarded in different categories, honors business leaders and cultural figures who have worked with Russia.

The Mexican ballerina said she was in love with Russia and was on her 18th visit to the country.

"I would love to return on my European tour this year to dance and perform, which is what I know how to do best, to show my excitement, my gratefulness and all my love to this likable country, which I so adore," Amelio said.

The ballerina and some of the other honorees spoke a few words in Russian.

Listening to those who studied in Russia and the former Soviet republics is "fantastically pleasant," Medvedev said.

The Pushkin Medal was created in 1999 to honor outstanding achievement in the arts and culture, education and the humanities, as well as for contributions to the study and preservation of cultural heritage and cultural development between nations.

Past winners include Czech Republic President Vaclav Klaus, former U.N. Secretary-General Javier Perez de Cuellar and former Chinese President Jiang Zemin.