Baku - On 23 January 2020, the State Migration Service (SMS) provided travel documents to persons granted refugee status in Azerbaijan and held presentation of www.migrationto.az website. The event was attended by representatives of various government agencies, diplomatic missions of foreign countries and international organizations accredited in Azerbaijan, non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and media.

In his opening speech Vusal Huseynov, Chief of the State Migration Service talked about importance and advantages of "Travel Document" prepared by SMS for persons granted refugee status in Azerbaijan Republic which gives them and their families the right to move beyond the borders of Azerbaijan. He said that the "Travel Document" is a document granting the right to move beyond the borders of the Republic of Azerbaijan in accordance with the Convention on the Status of Refugees dated 1951. The chief of the service said that the Travel Document, prepared in accordance with international requirements and standards, will be issued and valid for 5 years: “From today, refugees can travel to other countries by obtaining the Travel Document.” Vusal Huseynov said that 83 foreigners granted refugee status and living in the country are provided with "Road Documents".

Vladimir Gjorgjiev, Chief of IOM Mission to Azerbaijan thanked the Head of the State Migration Service for this initiative, stressing that the "Road Document" is an important document that meets international standards and this important document will ensures individual development, equal rights and freedom of movements for refugees and stateless persons residing in Azerbaijan.

Azer Allahveranov, Chairman of the Public Council at the State Migration Service, noted that the "Travel Document" is an important document for the mobility of refugees, for comfortable travel to foreign countries, for families to do business there, attend health care or education.

Oktavian Mohorea, Head of the Legal Department of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) in Azerbaijan, highlighting the importance of the integration of refugees, added that the "Travel Document" provided by the Government of Azerbaijan would provide additional opportunities for refugees.

Then, persons who received refugee status in Azerbaijan were presented with the “Travel Document”. There was also a presentation of www.migrationto.az web site developed in the framework of the 'Mobiliaze Partnership with Azerbaijan' project implemented jointly with the International Center for Migration Policy Development (MSIBM), which provides services by the relevant government agencies to foreigners and stateless persons visiting the Republic of Azerbaijan.