Azerbaijani President signs decree on simplification of visa procedures

Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev on Friday signed a decree on simplification of visa procedures for foreigners arriving in Azerbaijan in connection with 2012 Eurovision Song Contest, press office of Azerbaijan's president said on Friday. The document says that "visitors to the 2012 Eurovision contest from participating countries and persons without citizenship, permanently residing in those countries, will be able to obtain a visa to Azerbaijan in subdivisions of the Consular Department of the Azerbaijan Foreign Ministry at any of Azerbaijan' s international airports." To be eligible to apply for an entry visa, an applicant must have one of the following: 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 (EBU), a ticket for the Eurovision Song Contest-2012 or a document confirming the acquisition of a ticket. Citizens of countries where there is no Azerbaijan embassy, but where there is a direct flights to Baku, are already able to collect their visa on arrival. The 57th annual Eurovision Song Contest 2012 will be held in Baku, Azerbaijan, following Azerbaijan's win in the 2011 Contest with Eldar & Nigar's song "Running Scared". The two semi-finals will be held on May 22-24, 2012, and the final on May 26, 2012.