Azerbaijan, Baku / Trend corr S. Ilhamgizi / On 5 July the State Committee on Work with Azerbaijanis Residing Abroad celebrates its 5th Anniversary. The organization was established by the decree on 'Establishment of State Committee on Work with Azerbaijanis Residing Abroad' issued by the former Azerbaijani President, Heydar Aliyev, on 5 July 2002 in order to develop bonds with their compatriots.
The State Committee is the central executive body to implement the state policy on work with Azerbaijanis residing abroad, to expand and develop bonds with them and to coordinate activities between state personnel and NGOs in this connection.
The basis of the state policy in this field is defined by the law on 'State Policy Regarding Azerbaijanis Residing Abroad' dated 27 December 2002.
Nazim Ibrahimov, who has been presiding over the State Committee since its establishment, noted that during the five years of its operation, the organization has held a number of important arrangements in consolidating Azerbaijanis residing abroad, preserving national and moral values and the protection of their rights and freedom.
Ibrahimov also noted that over 300 Azerbaijani communities were operating in most of the world countries and the process of formation of diaspora organizations was still under way. During the functioning of the State Committee, different projects were developed to resolve of the problems of the Azerbaijanis residing in Russia, Georgia and other countries.
At present the State Committee is developing the Charter of World Azerbaijanis and the Conception of the Activities of Azerbaijani Diaspora.