Baku - A two-year IOM programme to improve the management of Azerbaijan borders is to get underway in order to encourage the growth of legal trade and to prevent irregular migration and trans-border crimes such as human trafficking.

Funded by the European Union and implemented in close collaboration with the Azerbaijan government, the programme will focus on creating a border system for Azerbaijan's southern borders but which can be replicated elsewhere. Involving active cooperation among the country's various state agencies and ministries involved in border issues, work will focus on the provision of training for border personnel, improving coordination among agencies and creating common data management systems and analyses.

The programme is targeting the Bilasuvar border crossing and the adjacent green border area in southern Azerbaijan for implementation as the area is one of the main crossing points for trade in agricultural crops and consumer items. It also serves as an important corridor for transporting international goods.

A lack of organizational capacity in border operations here and a lack of equipment and infrastructure also makes this part of Azerbaijan's borders an easy target for irregular migration and human trafficking.

IOM has been working with the Azerbaijan government since 1999 to bring state border crossings on par with international standards. As well as providing assessments and recommendations on border procedures at Heydar Aliyev and Nakichavan airports and a new visa system for the country, IOM is working with the State Border Service (SBS) on professional skills training for border guards and while at the same time, providing technical assistance to the agency.

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For further information, please contact: Sarat Das Chief of Mission in Azerbaijan Tel: + 994 12 465 90 71 or 72 Email: sdas@iom.int