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“Open Door” day and follow-up legal awareness raisingevent was held by the State Migration Service
The State Migration Service held “Open Door” day – regional a civil forum for citizens and media representatives in Gusar which falls within the scope of Khachmaz regional migration department, on October 20. An awareness raising event on elimination of statelessness, rules of use of foreign labour force, fight against illegal migration was held with the participation of foreigners and stateless persons, citizens, representatives of relevant state authorities, public organizations, employers and entrepreneurs on the same day, as well.
“Open Door” day – a civil forum was held in accordance with “National Action Plan for promotion of Open Government in 2012-2015”. National Action Plan covers principles on increasing transparency in the activity of state authorities, establishing close relations with the public, expanding public participation. The State Migration Service continues organizing such events forthcoming these principles.
The purpose of “Open Door” day was to closely familiarize the public, as well as mass media representatives with the activity and modern services rendered by the Service. Registration of foreigners and stateless persons upon place of stay, issuance of permits for temporary and permanent residence, process of establishment of citizenship, service condition which meets modern demands, legal procedures regarding registration, establishedconvenient, flexible and modern services were visually demonstrated to citizens and mass media representativeson the “Open Door” day.
It was noted at the event that State Migration Service of the Republic of Azerbaijan implements the competences of unified state body on “one-stop-shop” principle in the area of regulation and management of migration processes in our country. The field of activity of SMS includes registration of foreigners and stateless persons upon place of stay, temporary staying, issuance and extension of permits for temporary and permanent residence and work permits, citizenship issues, establishment of citizenship, determination of refugee status, etc. Consistent measures for convenient, prompt and transparent service to the citizensare taken both at the headquarters of the Service and regional migration departments. Broad information on electronic and online services of SMS was given on the “Open Door” day. Rules and benefits of using 11 e-services rendered by the agency which is connected to 10 e-government portals were clearly explained and questions related to this issue were responded. It was underlined at the event that the Service has already started to carry out electron registration upon place of stay. Thus, applications of foreigners and stateless persons are also receivedin electronic formowing to opportunities created by the e-services, as well.
It was stated that comprehensive ICT measures are implemented in order to implement and develop strategy of information-communication technologies, prepare new report subsystem software, and create information systems.Thus, Unified Migration Information System (UMIS) of State Migration Service of the Republic of Azerbaijan, activity of which is provided in accordance with the Decree of the President of Azerbaijan dated from February 6, 2009, enables to create a full picture of dynamics of the migration processes occurring in the country. Furthermore, integration of UMIS to “Entry-exit and registration” Interagency Automatized Information Search System and State Registry of Population has been ensured. At the same time strict control is conducted over virtual information security, as well as security of information systems in use, internet resources, e-services and computer networks.
It was stressed at the event that as a result of state care new modern administrative buildings for State Migration Service of the Republic of Azerbaijan, State Migration Service of Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic, and regional migration departments have been built and operates. Those buildings fully meet modern requirements and high level service condition is created at the buildings. Reception divisions for foreigners and stateless persons, as well as citizens are provided with modern equipment and necessary tools. Information and legal awareness raising corners on migration issues are established in each regional department of the Agency. This serves to ensuring public awareness, increasing legal knowledge of foreigners and stateless persons, as well as population in this area.
As it was mentioned, workshop on legal awareness raisingon migration processes and elimination of statelessness was held for foreigners and stateless persons, citizens, relevant state bodies, public organizations and other interested parties by the Service on the same day. The purpose of organization of legal awareness raising event which was started from the beginning of the current year by the Service is to provide public awareness on elimination of statelessness, fight against illegal migration, procedures for involving foreigners to paid labour activity, amendments and addendums made in migration legislation.
The questions were responded and opinion exchange on presentation was conducted at the end of the meeting.
It should be mentioned that such events have been organized in Lankaran, Ganja, Khachmaz, Shirvan, Shaki, Sabirabad and other cities and regions since the beginning of this year.