Press release of Embassy of Azerbaijan in the United Kingdom on Europe League final game to be held in Baku, Azerbaijan on May 29, 2019
On May 29, 2019 Baku, the capital city of the Republic of Azerbaijan will host Europa League final between two British teams Arsenal and Chelsea.
Venue:
Baku Olympic Stadium http://bos.az/en/
H.Aliyev Ave. 323, Baku, Azerbaijan, AZ1040
info@bos.az
+994 12 422-64-10
+994 12 422-64-15
Time:
Wednesday, May 29, 2019 kicking off at 21:00 CET (11pm local time).
Visa:
In accordance with the Order of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan No. 1028 of 11.03.2019 “On facilitation visa issuance procedures for foreigners and stateless persons arriving in the Republic of Azerbaijan with regard to organization and conduct of Baku 2019 UEFA Europa League Final”, foreigners and stateless persons can obtain a visa on arrival at the international airports of the Republic of Azerbaijan in the period between May 15 – June 1, 2019. One of the below mentioned documents is required for visa issuance:
- The official invitation letter of the Association of Football Federations of Azerbaijan (AFFA).
- The document proving accreditation in accordance with the relevant rules of the Union of European Football Associations (UEFA).
- A ticket or a document that confirms obtaining a ticket for Baku 2019 UEFA Europa League Final.
Foreigners and stateless persons arriving in the Republic of Azerbaijan for Baku 2019 UEFA Europa League Final will be able to get an electronic visa within 3 working days (for a standard e-visa) or 3 hours (for an urgent e-visa) through the official web-site (www.evisa.gov.az) of the “ASAN Visa” system
http://mfa.gov.az/content/1086
On the decision on granting Azerbaijani visa to foreign nationals:
The decision on granting Azerbaijani visa to all foreign nationals is subject to certain rules and regulations based on the national legislation and international agreements of Azerbaijan (http://www.mfa.gov.az/en/content/918). The only aspect in which the Armenia-Azerbaijan Nagorno Karabakh conflict influences possible non-admission of a foreign national into Azerbaijan is whether the person in question has previously visited Nagorno-Karabakh and other occupied regions of Azerbaijan without the written consent of the Republic of Azerbaijan. Such a visit would represent a violation of sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Republic of Azerbaijan as well as the breach of relevant norms and principles of international law (http://www.mfa.gov.az/en/content/939).
Thus, nationality of neither the players of both Arsenal and Chelsea nor the fans wishing to travel to Azerbaijan influences their getting Azerbaijani visa.
Association of Football Federations of Azerbaijan as well as other relevant state institutions have already sent guarantees to UEFA confirming that there would be no problem for all the players to enter and stay in Azerbaijan irrespective of their nationality and that all necessary security measures would be in place.
Back in 2015, when the inaugural European Games were held in Azerbaijan, Armenia was represented with 25 athletes who were competing mainly in wrestling and boxing. The country also won silver medal and the wrestler, Mihran Harutyunyan was awarded his medal by Mr. Ilham Aliyev, President of the Republic of Azerbaijan.
Safety and Security in Azerbaijan
Law enforcement agencies take effective measures to provide and guarantee safety and security of both the nationals and visitors of Azerbaijan. Crime rate is very low in Azerbaijan and the country entered the Top 20 safest countries in the world in 2017. The study shows that Azerbaijan is the 18th safest country among 125 states included in the ranking prepared by the website Numbeo, which is the world's largest statistical database on cities and countries around the world.
In spite of situating in a volatile neighbourhood and hosting major strategic infrastructure projects like Baku-Tbilisi-Jeyhan oil pipeline, Baku-Tbilisi-Kars railway and many more Azerbaijan successfully manages to provide the best protection despite the risks.
Around 3 million foreign nationals including around 7000 British nationals visit Azerbaijan every year and there are no statistical grounds for news reports on possible hazardous situation in the country.
Being a host country to 2012 Eurovision Song Contest, 2015 Inaugural European Games, 2016-2018 Formula 1, the 4th Islamic Solidarity Games in 2017 and many more Azerbaijan has a genuine experience in organizing large scale international sporting and other events and in accommodating each and every of its international guests with care and respect regardless of their nation, sex, race or religion.
Getting to Baku
Azerbaijan’s capital city has great transport links to the rest of the world, with over 20 operating airlines and more than 50 direct flights to various destinations across the globe. The country’s key gateway is the Heydar Aliyev International Airport.
Direct flights between Heathrow Airport and Baku Heydar Aliyev Airport operate via Azerbaijan Airlines (every Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday). There are many other connecting flights between London and Baku via Turkish Airlines, Russian Airlines, Ukraine Airlines and etc.
For the period of UEFA Europa League Final in Baku, Heydar Aliyev International Airport has prepared a special action plan to receive a large number of aircraft and passengers. All services of the capital’s Airport will operate in enhanced mode.
Introduction of cutting-edge technology and most advanced equipment enables Heydar Aliyev International Airport to handle 90 charters a day. Capacity of the Airport is 10,000 passengers per hour, and therefore no airline will be denied operation of regular and charter flights.
So far, Heydar Aliyev International Airport has already confirmed more than 45 requests for charter flights on May 28 and May 29, including 16 flights by business aviation, football teams will arrive on two flights, and fans of the football clubs will arrive on ten flights. Also, foreign airlines such as Turkish Airlines, Air Arabia, Fly Dubai, ISRair, Jazeera Airways and other airlines requested additional flights.
Azerbaijan Airlines is still in discussions with London Airports with regard to introducing more flights between Baku and London on the eve of the final game.
During the UEFA Europa League Final, all conditions will be created at Heydar Aliyev International Airport to ensure smooth operation of the flights and flow of many passengers through the terminal.
Heydar Aliyev International Airport already has great experience in conducting major international, including sporting events, such as the First European Games, Formula 1, Islamic Solidarity Games, etc. Discover your flight, railway, bus or personal vehicle options here: https://www.finalbaku2019.az/by-airplane/; https://azerbaijan.travel/en/baku
Where to stay?
Visitors to Baku can expect a wide range of affordable accommodation options, with an abundance of luxury and mid-range hotels, as well as plenty of well-priced hostels and Airbnb rentals. Discover your accommodation options here: https://azerbaijan.travel/en/accommodation.
What to do in Baku?
Azerbaijan Tourism Board’s website provides all the necessary information with regard to tourist attractions of Baku city: https://www.tourismboard.az/.
Moreover, Series 6 (Batumi to Baku) of Great Continental Railway Journey Series of BBC Two (https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b09w87tj), Joanna Lumley’s Silk Road Adventure (Georgia and Azerbaijan) of ITV (https://www.itv.com/presscentre/ep2week38/joanna-lumleys-silk-road-adventure), “Best things to do in Azerbaijan from volcanoes to tea culture” (https://edition.cnn.com/travel/article/things-to-do-azerbaijan/index.html) by CNN, “10 things to do in Baku” (https://www.independent.co.uk/travel/asia/things-to-do-baku-azerbaijan-eurovision-song-contest-best-zaha-hadid-carpet-museum-cheap-holidays-a7729781.html) by Independent are only a few of handful international guides to turn your trip to Azerbaijan into a memorable experience.
Please visit Baku 2019 Final’s website for more information: https://www.finalbaku2019.az/.
