Azerbaijan simplifies visa procedures as Eurovision song contest approaches

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, Trend reports.

Citizens of the countries participating in the contest and 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 grounds for issuing a visa.