Azerbaijan, Baku, Feb. 10 / Trend /
Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev has today signed a decree on simplification of the procedures for issuing visas to foreigners and stateless persons visiting the Republic of Azerbaijan in connection with the Eurovision Song Contest-2012 to be held in Baku.
The citizens of the countries participating in the contest and the stateless persons residing permanently in the countries participating in the "Eurovision Song Contest-2012", who visit the Republic of Azerbaijan in connection with the Eurovision Song Contest to be held in Baku shall be entitled to obtain a visa at the structural units of the Department of Consular Affairs of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Azerbaijan functioning at the international airports of the Republic of Azerbaijan.
According to the decree, an official invitation letter issued by the Organizing Committee of the Eurovision Song Contest-2012, a document confirming the accreditation in accordance with the relevant rules of the European Broadcasting Union, a ticket for the Eurovision Song Contest-2012 or a document confirming the obtaining of a ticket shall be regarded as a ground for issuing a visa.
The citizens of the countries participating in the contest indicated in the paragraph 1 of the Decree shall be entitled to apply for obtaining a visa within the following time-limits:
The persons visiting the country upon the official invitation letter issued by the Organizing Committee of the Eurovision Song Contest-2012, as well as the participants and members of the delegations accredited in accordance with the relevant rules of the European Broadcasting Union - from April 15 till June 1, 2012;
Persons who have passed the accreditation in accordance with the rules of the European Broadcasting Union, journalists and members of the fanclub, who have bought tickets for Eurovision-2012 song contest - from May 10 to June 1, 2012.
The Cabinet of Ministers of the Republic of Azerbaijan must solve the matters of logistical support of the process of issuing visas at the international airports of the Republic of Azerbaijan to the persons visiting the Republic of Azerbaijan in connection with the Eurovision Song Contest-2012 and solve other issues arising from the Decree;
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Azerbaijan must provide the European Broadcasting Union and the relevant agencies of the foreign countries with the information on simplification of the procedures for issuing visas to the persons visiting the Republic of Azerbaijan in connection with the Eurovision Song Contest-2012; ensure that the information on the websites of the Ministry, as well as the Embassies and Consulates of the Republic of Azerbaijan in the foreign countries.
The State Migration Committee of the Republic of Azerbaijan must provide the airline companies carrying out flights to the Republic of Azerbaijan with the information on simplification of the procedures for issuing visas to the persons visiting the Republic of Azerbaijan in connection with the Eurovision Song Contest-2012.