Azerbaijani delegation took part in the 25th meeting of the Council of Heads of Migration Authorities of the CIS

Azerbaijani delegation headed by Vusal Huseynov, Chief of the State Migration Service, III rank state migration service counselor participated in the 25th meeting of the Council of Heads of Migration Bodies of the CIS, which was held virtually.  

Chief of the State Migration Service Vusal Huseynov gave information about the migration processes in the country in 2020 and the work done in this area during the COVID-19 pandemic according to the agenda of the meeting. He noted that although the number of visitors to the Republic of Azerbaijan increased in early 2020, later this figure decreased due to the pandemic. Noting that since the first days of the COVID-19 pandemic Azerbaijan has built its migration policy on maximum convenience of migrants by reducing administrative procedures almost to zero and broadly promoting digitalization, Vusal Huseynov underlined the 919 Call Center, which operates 24 hours a day in 3 languages (Azerbaijani, English and Russian). Chief of the Service said that during the pandemic special attention was paid to vulnerable migrants, including refugees, as well as forced removal of foreigners from the country and their placement in detention centers are suspended, and informed about the awareness-raising activities implemented.

Speaking about the international relations of the State Migration Service, V.Huseynov stressed the importance of establishing closer partnerships among the countries. Furthermore, the participants were informed about the initiative of the Regional Training Center, implemented in cooperation with the International Organization for Migration.

Chief of the Service also reminded that Azerbaijan put an end to the occupation of its territories by Armenia in 2020. It was stated that the trilateral statement dated November 10, paved the way for ending to the nearly 30-year long armed conflict, return of IDPs to their homes and realizing huge economic potential.

Then, Vahid Gahramanov, Chief of the Migration Policy and Legal Support Head Department of the State Migration Service, III rank state migration service counselor, informed the event participants about best practices of the State Migration Service on organization of the activity of its Call Center.

Discussions were held around the issues on the agenda at the 25th meeting of the CIS Council of Heads of Migration Bodies.