Ilham Aliyev was awarded the first biometric passport of a citizen of the Republic of Azerbaijan

President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev has been awarded the first biometric passport of a citizen of the Republic of Azerbaijan.

Recent years have seen consistent efforts aimed at ensuring rapid economic development, improvement of the welfare of the people, successful implementation of social infrastructure projects, prompt solution of problems in government agencies and removal of bureaucratic red-tape in this area in Azerbaijan. The launch in Baku and the regions of “ASAN xidmət” centers of the state agency for services to citizens and social innovation and the provision of other modern services by government agencies have been extremely important and helpful. At the same time, deliberate efforts have been taken in Azerbaijan to provide citizens with advanced technical services meeting the highest world standards.

One of the most important steps taken in this direction has been the development of the first biometric passport of a citizen of the Republic of Azerbaijan. In order to ensure timely execution of the requirements of the "State Program on the creation of a system of biometric identification of the Republic of Azerbaijan for 2007-2012", approved by a Decree of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan dated 13 February 2007, and Decree No 686 dated 17 July 2012 "On Amendments to the Law of the Republic of Azerbaijan on Exit, Entry and Passports", a number of urgent measures were taken. The legal and regulatory framework governing the issuance of identity documents has been improved. Following Decree No 687 of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan dated 17 July 2012, the description, specifications and samples of civil, service and diplomatic passports were approved. In order to introduce biometric identity documents of the new generation, the Ministry of Economic Development has established a working group composed of experts of relevant government agencies, studied the experience and achievements of internationally renowned companies in this field, and developed the description and specification of the new passports. Nine regional centers have been set up to prepare and issue the passports. The centers have all the conditions for the provision of high quality services.

President Ilham Aliyev was awarded the first biometric passport of a citizen of the Republic of Azerbaijan.

Thus, the issuance of biometric passports of the new generation started in Azerbaijan on 2 September. Depending on the amount of the state fee, citizens can receive the new biometric passport within 10, five and one working day.