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.

 

For further information, please contact:

Sarat Das

Chief of Mission in Azerbaijan

Tel: + 994 12 465 90 71 or 72

Email: "mailto:sdas@iom.int" target="_blank" title="">sdas@iom.int