Chief of the EU Delegation to Azerbaijan visited State Migration Service

Chief of State Migration Service (SMS) Vusal Huseynov met with Head of European Union (EU) Delegation Kestutis Yankauskas in the  headquarters of Service. Chief of the Regional Programs Department at the European Commission's Directorate-General for Neighborhood and Enlargement Negotiations Vasilis Maragos attended the meeting as well.

During the meeting current relations with EU and prospects of cooperation were discussed.

Vusal Huseynov informed about the measures taken by Azerbaijan in the direction of diversification of economy, tourism, trade and investments. He also noted that the measures provide affordable opportunities for EU citizens to ger to know rapidly growing Azerbaijan and to develop relations with Azerbaijan.

Chief of the Service noted the measures taken for expansion of relations between Azerbaijan and European Union.

Vusal Huseynov underlined the importance of the "Joint Declaration establishing a Mobility Partnership between the Republic of Azerbaijan and the European Union and its participating Member States" signed on 5 December 2013, in Brussels.

Chief of the Service highlighted the importance of the ongoing projects as a platform which SMS participates and European Union is a donor or one of the donors. Thus, he mentioned IOM’s projects of immigration and border management in Azerbaijan, as well as strengthening the capacity on combating human trafficking. He also highlighted the measures carried out within the framework of the project “Supporting to the Implementation of the Mobility Partnership with Azerbaijan (MOBILAZE)” implemented by  International Centre for Migration Policy. From this series the UNHCR's project “Quality Initiative in Eastern Europe and South Caucasus (QIEE)” was outlined as well.

Chief of the EU Delegation to Azerbaijan, Kestutis Yankauskas, expressed his gratitude for the meeting. He also stated that they attach importance to cooperation with SMS. He mentioned that they are ready to support the areas which SMS consider as a priority.

At the meeting the sides exchanged views on the issues of mutual interest in cooperation in the field of migration.