Republican academic and applied conference on the topic of “Migration policy in Azerbaijan: achievements and development perspectives” was launched  

Academic and applied conference on “Migration policy in Azerbaijan: achievements and development perspectives” dedicated to the 10th anniversary of the establishment of State Migration Service was launched on February 17 at Khazar University. Purpose of the conference was wider propagation of measures and works implemented by the state in the field of migration policy in the society, bringing into attention of the society pressing issues in migration field and involvement of people acting in the field of science to research and investigation works on those themes, as well as organization of the discussion of results of scientific researches carried out by them.

The conference was attended by the representatives of State Migration Service, Khazar University, state agencies, international and non-government organizations functioning in the country, academicians from National Academy of Science, universities and independent experts.

Firstly, the short film about the development path of SMS was demonstrated.

Making a speech Deputy chief of State Migration Service, III rank state migration service counselor Parviz Musayev pointed out that with the leadership of President Ilham Aliyev the economic, political and military power of our republic and its international reputation is raising day by day, the achievements in this direction enable the dynamic development in all sides of our lives, the number of foreigners visiting  Azerbaijan considerably growing as a reflection of comprehensive development of the country. He informed conference participants about background and activity directions of the Service and successes and achievements gained in 10 years.

He noted that State Migration Service of the Republic of Azerbaijan conducts registration upon place of stay and residence, extension of temporary staying period of foreigners and stateless persons, issues permissions for the foreigners and stateless persons willing to reside temporarily and permanently on the territory of the country,  as well as work permits for engaging in paid labor activity, determines refugee status for asylum seekers, participates in citizenship issues and fights against illegal migration.

A number of normative acts have been adopted, institutional and organizational measures have been taken for the purpose of strengthening state control over the migration processes since the establishment of State Migration Service.

According to the relevant Decree signed for the purpose of regulating migration processes with cohesive and flexible procedures and facilitating documentation, since July 1, 2009 “one-stop-shop” principle started to be applied in migration management. The competences of unified authority upon this principle have been assigned to State Migration Service of the Republic of Azerbaijan.

The Migration Code of the Republic of Azerbaijan was adopted with the Law of the Republic of Azerbaijan dated from July 2, 2013 for the purpose of adjusting the legislation to the modern standards. The Migration Code of the Republic of Azerbaijan which was drafted in compliance with international expertise, EU legislation, as well as recommendations of International Organization for Migration and UN High Commissioner for Refugees came into force in August 1, 2013.

In 2009 Unified Migration Information System of State Migration Service started functioning in accordance with the Order signed by the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, later on UMIS was integrated with “Interagency Automated Data Search System on Entry-Exit and Registration” and State Registry of Population under the Ministry of Justice, as well as started information exchange with Automated Taxes Information System of Ministry of Taxes.

It is the result of taken measures that today via the Unified Migration Information System State Migration Service takes full control over entry-exit dates, residential address and workplace of foreigner and stateless person in the country.

Besides, considering the necessity of rendering online services for people in terms of increasing transparency and reducing corruption cases in state bodies State Migration Service has launched to render online services since September 1, 2011 in accordance with the Decree signed by the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan “On some measures for the establishment of the electronic services by the state bodies”.

Currently, all 11 electronic services rendered by the Service were integrated to the “Electronic Government” portal.

Since 2016 the payment of fines imposed by State Migration Service has started to be carried out via “ASANPAY” payment system. This enables rapid move of foreigners and stateless persons across the border cross points.

A number of services are rendered by State Migration Service at “ASAN service” centers which were established as an Azerbaijani Brand in order to render services to citizens with more quality, conveniently, in modern methods and by application of modern technologies by state agencies, to achieve observing respect to the ethical rules and kind behavior vis-à-vis the citizens as well as to ensure satisfaction of citizens.

In 2015 the Public Council under State Migration Service was established for the purpose of increasing public participation in the policy pursued in the country in migration sphere, deepening reciprocal activity of non-governmental organizations in this sphere and close cooperation was established with civil society.

Considering the importance of right for citizenship as one of fundamental human rights the Republic of Azerbaijan has acceded to UNHCR campaign “To end statelessness in 10 years” for the purpose of raising awareness in the sphere of fighting against statelessness and strengthening cooperation for handling the problems occurred during determination process of their legal status and efficient protection of their rights Relevant measures have been taken by State Migration Service in all regions of the country for the purpose of eliminating statelessness cases in a short period of time and currently the works in this direction are continued. During this period affiliation of 70 994 persons to the citizenship of the Republic of Azerbaijan was established and they were provided with documents approving the citizenship of the Republic of Azerbaijan by relevant state agencies.

The works on fighting against illegal migration are being intensified by State Migration Service year by year, the cases concerning the infringement of rules for staying, as well as temporary and permanent residing on the territory of the Republic of Azerbaijan by foreigners and stateless persons have been revealed and prevented. Presently the number of such cases has been decreased to minimum level.

Since the establishment of State Migration Service international cooperation in migration sphere has been expanded, bilateral and multilateral relations have been developed, exchange of experience in migration sphere has been conducted with a number of countries.

Highly appraising the works and measures taken in Azerbaijan in migration sphere, the Representative of UNHCR in Azerbaijan Furio De Angelis talked about the successful development of cooperation links with State Migration Service and future perspectives of mutual activities.

The head of IOM Representation in Azerbaijan Serhan Aktoprak pointed out their close cooperation carried out with State Migration Service in provision and protection of migrants rights and expressed his assurance that the conference will contribute to capacity building in migration sphere and classification of academic activities. 

The founder of Khazar University, the Chair of Council of Directors and Trustees, prof. Hamlet Isakhanli phrased his pleasure from the academic and applied conference being conducted in this education institution. He noted the importance of conducting this conference in terms of developing and strengthening the cooperation with Migration Service and pointed that opinions sounded and discussions carried in this conference will be effective.

Later the presentation of Migration Research Center of Khazar University was demonstrated.

The academic and applied conference was continued in plenary sessions on topics of “Migration policy and human rights”, “International protection of Refugees and asylum seekers” and “Migration processes in Globalization period: challenges and response measures”. The presentations, speeches of academicians, scientists from ANAS, the employees from state bodies engaging in academic activities, master and fellow students from educational institutions were heard and discussions were held.

 A resolution was adopted at the end of academic and applied conference.