State Migration Service held public awareness events in Aghsu, Zagatala and Ganja  

Migration processes happening in the world, migrant crisis occurring in Europe, elimination of statelessness in our country, rules on use of foreign labour force, measures taken related to combatting illegal migration were discussed and explanatory talks were conducted on novelties in migration legislation.

Authorized employees of the Headquarters and regional migration departments of the Service made speeches at the meeting held in the assembly hall of administrative building of the Aghsu Children and Youth Artistic Creativity Center, with participation of foreigners and stateless persons, citizens, representatives of relevant state authorities, public organizations, employers and entrepreneurs. It was noted that migrant crisis occurring in Europe nowadays shows that migration policy should be implemented deliberately and purposefully, because migration policy is one of the factors influencing security of the country. As a result of attention and care of President Ilham Aliyev who accurately assessed these points and signed, 9 years ago, a Decree on establishment of State Migration Service which is central executive body implementing state policy in migration sphere. Today the Service and its 8 regional migration departments are operating at full capacity. As a result of the works done Director General of IOM, William Lacy Swing called measure implemented in migration sphere in our country as a good example for migration management at the meeting with President Ilham Aliyev during his visit to our republic in September, 2015.

At the event held in Zagatala region which is included in the service area of Shaki Regional migration department it was emphasized that our country which faced mass migrant flow as a result of Armenian aggression to Azerbaijan since the late 80s of last century, has dealt with serious problems of more than one million refugee and internally displaced persons such as employment, education, social and housing problems. It was regretfully noted that failure of world community in taking action to stop the aggression and double standards cause people to be displaced from their homelands and become displace persons.

At the event information was given on the Appellate Council of State Migration Service which was established in order to ensure transparency and objectiveness in reviewing complaints of physical and legal persons performing entrepreneurship activity. The condition created for foreigner and stateless persons in our country was touched upon. It was stated that Detention Centers for Illegal Migrants meeting modern standards is operating in Baku and Yevlakh.

The novelties in migration legislation were discussed during the meeting held by employees of Ganja Regional migration department at Azerbaijan State University of Agriculture. The information on harmonization of national legislation related to stateless persons with international documents which the Republic of Azerbaijan is a party to in this field, in general the works done by the Service in the direction of eradication of statelessness cases, numerous meetings held in the regions, were brought to attention. It was stressed that while state fee for issuance of work permit when involving foreigners and stateless persons in paid labour activity was 1000 manats regardless of duration, according to the amendment state fees of 350, 600 and 1000 manats are paid for work permits issued for 3 months, 6 months and one year,  respectively. Moreover, state fees for issuance of permits for temporary and permanent residence in the Republic of Azerbaijan and extension of their periods, as well as extension of temporary staying period of foreigners and stateless persons under 18, was reduced by 50 percent. The requirement of Administrative Offences Code which has entered into force since March 1 of the current year, were broadly explained at the meeting.

Questions were responded at the end.

The participants expressed their satisfaction with organization of public awareness event.