Azerbaijan/Russia: The type of documentation Azeris were required to show during 2001 when crossing the border into Russia and back, and whether passports are stamped when crossing the Azeri/Russian border by train
| Publisher | Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada |
| Author | Research Directorate, Immigration and Refugee Board, Canada |
| Publication Date | 11 October 2002 |
| Citation / Document Symbol | ZZZ40120.E |
| Reference | 2 |
| Cite as | Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada, Azerbaijan/Russia: The type of documentation Azeris were required to show during 2001 when crossing the border into Russia and back, and whether passports are stamped when crossing the Azeri/Russian border by train, 11 October 2002, ZZZ40120.E, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/3f7d4e44a.html [accessed 18 May 2023] |
| Disclaimer | This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. |
No information on the type of documentation Azeris are required to show when crossing the border into Russia and when returning to Azerbaijan, nor on whether passports are stamped when crossing the Azeri/Russian border by train could be found among the sources consulted by the Research Directorate.
However, the following brief references to a lack of visa requirements for Azeris to enter Russia may be of general interest.
During his first visit to Azerbaijan in early January 2001, Russian President Vladimir Putin reportedly mentioned three times that "Russia will not implement a visa mode for crossing the Russian‑Azerbaijan border" (Russia Monitor 7-13 Jan. 2001). In April 2001, it was reported that even though Russia had not imposed a "visa regime" on Azerbaijan, much still remained unresolved between both countries (RFE/RL 20 Apr. 2001).
Yet, on 11 July 2001, it was reported in The Washington Times that "Moscow [had] threatened to impose a visa regime restricting access into Russia for the vast number of Azeris who work there."
In mid 2002, James Purcell Smith writing on Russian president "Putin's pragmatic approach to CIS countries" stated that Moscow "signed a visa-free agreement with Azerbaijan" (Central Asia Caucasus Analyst 17 July 2002).
This Response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the Research Directorate within time constraints. This Response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim to refugee status or asylum. Please find below the list of additional sources consulted in researching this Information Request.
References
Central Asia Caucasus Analyst. 17 July 2002. James Purcell Smith. "Putin's Pragmatic Approach to CIS Countries is Paying Off." Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL). 20 April 2001. Azerbaijan Report. "A Thaw in Russo-Azerbaijani Relations?" Russia Monitor. 7-13 January 2001. No. 2. "Vladimir Putin's Visit to Azerbaijan." The Washington Times. 11 July 2001. Ilan Berman. "Russia's Caspian Power Grab." Additional Sources Consulted
Country Reports on Human Rights Practices for 2001. 4 Mar. 2002. (US Department of State)
Electronic databases: IRB, NEXIS, WNC.
International Helsinki Federation for Human Rights [Vienna]. 2002. Report 2002.
International Narcotics Control Strategy Report 1998. 26 Feb. 1999 (US Department of State)
United Nations Development Programme. n.d. Living Conditions in the Azerbaijain Republic.
Internet sites, including:
Immigration and Nationality Directorate
Lonely Planet World Guide
Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty
Russian Visa Online
Visa Requirements: Azerbaijan
Travel Reports
Internet search engines, including:
Google
Yahoo!
