The Consular General of Azerbaijan to Saint-Petersburg, Gudsi Osmanov, informed Trend that a National Culture of Autonomy of the Azerbaijanis has been created in Petrozavodski.
During a visit to the northwest region of Russia, the Consular General of Azerbaijan paid a working visit to the Republic of Karelia. The visit was aimed at rendering legal assistance to Azerbaijanis due to the application of new laws in Russia and accelerating the process of forming and strengthening the Azerbaijani diaspora. Osmanov held a meeting with the Azerbaijani diaspora in Petrozavodski. During the meeting, it was decided to create a National Culture of Autonomy of the Azerbaijanis. The Council of the Autonomy was formed and established by fifteen people. The former Police Colonel, Gulshad Gulmammadov, was elected Chairman of the Autonomy.
Making a speech at the meeting, Osmanov spoke of the attention and care of the Azerbaijani President, Ilham Aliyev, about Azerbaijanis residing abroad and expressed his attitude towards creating and strengthening diaspora organizations in various places.
Osmanov said at present nearly 7,000 Azerbaijanis live in Karelia. According to the agreement reached with the Representation of the Russian Foreign Ministry in Karelia, and the consular of the Consulate General, employees of the Passport Registration Department of the Azerbaijani Interior Ministry will be sent to Karelia to provide legal assistance to Azerbaijanis.