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A meeting dedicated to the results of 2015 was held at State Migration Service
The meeting dedicated to the results of 2015 and implementation of tasks set for this year was held at State Migration Service.
Chief of the State Migration Service, II rank state migration service counselor Firudin Nabiyev made a speech with report at the meeting held with the participation of heads of structural units and subordinating bodies of the Service. Drawing attention to the year of 2015 being important regarding implementation of duties set before Azerbaijan state and public under the leadership of President Ilham Aliyev F.Nabiyev spoke about influence of development dynamics of country’s economy, implementation of socio-economic programs, successful realization of grandiose transnational energy and transport projects, urgent measures taken for improving social welfare of people, strengthening of international position of our country, provision of national security and stability to migration processes. He mentioned that necessary measures are being successfully implemented towards protecting rights of foreigners arriving legally in the country and legalizing their stay and residence in the republic and of labor migrants acting legally, as well as illegal migration. Because one of the duties set before State Migration Service by President Ilham Aliyev is: “We must further strengthen our migration policy and create a very strong system. Each foreign citizen arriving in our country must get registered. Not a single person can work illegally here. We have to know at any time where every foreigner is and what is he/she doing”.
Service chief emphasized that last year investment in the amount of 11 billion dollars to country’s economy shows that Azerbaijan remains as an attractive country for foreign investors. Needless to stay, temporary residence is issued for a period not exceeding 3 years to foreigners in case they invest at least 500 000 manats in the economy of the country according to Migration Code. Previous legislation did not allow extension of permits for temporary residence, as well as work permits for engaging in paid labor activity more than 4 times, however this limitation has been removed with current legislation.
Last year 87 thousand new work places were opened, the number of new work places exceeded 1.4 million from the year of 2004 until today and the most of them are permanent work places. Service chief noted that State Migration Service which has an essential mission such as protecting domestic labor market successfully continues the consistent measures towards regulation the use of foreign labor force in accordance with legislation. According to aim set before by the head of state, Service successfully implements state control over involvement foreigners to paid labor activity only in the frame of determined quota in order to ensure initial benefit of country’s citizens from the development of Azerbaijan. The control over gradual substitution of foreign labor staff with national personnel in oil-gas projects is intensified. Last year 26.567 cases of infringement of administrative legislation by foreigners and stateless persons were revealed and relevant measures were taken.
At the meeting the importance of protecting leader position of Azerbaijan in the CIS for 7 years by standing in 40th place among 140 countries in accordance with competitiveness level of its economy was touched upon. Today the establishment of transportation corridors of Azerbaijan in the region, active role in the development of modern transport infrastructure, shift of the country to the center of “East-West” and “North-South” transportation corridors, holding several international events for long years as a political, economic and humanitarian center of the region and gaining quite a lot experience in this field were talked about. The opening of a new page in the world sport history by successfully organizing the Baku 2015 European Games and preparation for holding Baku 2017- Islamic Solidarity Games by our country which is assumed as a cooperation region of cultures, religions, various geopolitical poles were noted. The invitation of Azerbaijan to the “G20” Summit in Antalya was characterized as a decent value given to role of our republic in the region and international arena, consolidation of peace and security in the world, measures taken in the field of solving urgent economic issues. During the meeting of period on which economic development processes in the country were comprehensively analyzed F.Nabiyev stated: “It is the result of abovementioned progress that Azerbaijan has turned into a country of transit and destination from country of origin in terms of migration in recent years”. Last year 670.326 persons were registered upon place of stay relevant to their staying period in the country.
Service chief noted that besides the increase in the number of foreigners and stateless persons arriving in our republic, the level of the services for realization of stay and residence rights of migrants in the country on legal bases is improved year by year by State Migration Service with the support of President Ilham Aliyev. To put in operation of 11 e-services, as well as the portal regarding the implementation of measures of which execution in state programs entrusted to State Migration Service is an obvious example of this thought. The reception halls complying with international standards have been supplied with modern equipment not only at the Headquarters of the Service, but also at the regional migration departments. Several service types are rendered by SMS at the ASAN service centers which is an Azerbaijani brand, as well. 99.439 calls were received by the Call center of the Service during the reporting period. The provision of applicant satisfaction, responsibility, efficiency and transparency is the main criteria.
Last year 105.550 applications on extension of temporary staying period in the country, granting temporary and permanent residence permits, adoption, revocation and restoration of citizenship, as well as determination of citizenship and refugee status, as well as issuing work permits for carrying out labor activity and extending validity period of existing work permits were received from foreigners and stateless persons by the State Migration Service of the Republic of Azerbaijan. Each application was investigated in accordance with the requirements of legislation and relevant decisions were made.
F.Nabiyev notified that the Service has started the implementation of complex measures for improving awareness in the field of fight against statelessness, as well as eliminating problems while determining the legal status of these people, including efficient protection of their rights. It should be noted that last year 267 persons adopted and 9 restored citizenship in accordance with Orders of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan.
During the reporting period permission for temporary residence in the Republic of Azerbaijan to 53.200 persons and their children under the age of 18 who migrated with them and permission for permanent residence to 2640 persons were issued, the temporary staying period of 885 persons were extended as well.
Service chief talked about the implementation of “Agreement between the European Union and the Republic of Azerbaijan on readmission of persons residing without authorization”, measures taken on efficient and durable socio-economic reintegration of readmitted citizens to society.
By stating staff policy as the main factor for achievements II rank state migration service counselor F.Nabiyev noted that during the reporting period 28 employees positively characterized in their service activities were promoted, labor of 248 employees was distinguished for good work indicators.
F.Nabiyev stated that care and attention of the head of state to Service, orders signed by him for rewarding of employees, thoughts of the Director General of the International Organization for Migration about SMS during the meeting on September of the last year were accepted with great enthusiasm by staff and expressed satisfaction of employees of the migration bodies.
Chief of the Service touched upon the activity of Public Council established last year under the State Migration Service according to the “National Action Plan on promotion of Open Government for the years 2012-2015”.
Stating great potential of Azerbaijan both in socio-economic and military fields F.Nabiyev emphasized that State Migration Service is willing to contribute to regular implementation of measures towards realization of national development strategy of Azerbaijan, increase of the social welfare of the people, improvement of international reputation of country, provision of economic security, national interests and stability by being loyal to ideas of Great Leader Heydar Aliyev under the leadership of the Commander-in-Chief, President Ilham Aliyev in 2016 and in the future.
At the end of the meeting relevant tasks were set before the heads of the structural units and subordinated agencies of the Service.
