The State Insurance Supervision Service at the Azerbaijani Finance Ministry during 2011 ensured payment of about 245 manat. The insurance companies unreasonably refused to pay, said the head of the department in the State Insurance Supervision Service Mahir Abdullayev.

Azerbaijan will improve its tax legislation, tax minister Fazil Mammadov said at the forum Tax System in Azerbaijan: realities and prospects, held in Baku on 09.02.2012.

In its decision in the case of "Chiragov and Others v. Armenia" the European Court of Human Rights, sitting as a Grand Chamber, has by a majority declared the application admissible.

The Azerbaijani Parliament adopted a law on establishment of the embassies in the Republic of South Africa, Brazil, Iraq and Vietnam at the meeting on Friday.

The parliament also approved the 'Joint declaration of the presidents of Azerbaijan and Mauritania', 'Agreement on cooperation in the field of energy between the governments of Azerbaijan and Mauritania', ' Agreement on trade and economic cooperation between the governments of Azerbaijan and Mauritania', 'Agreement on cooperation in the veterinary field between the governments of Azerbaijan and Mauritania' and 'Agreement on cooperation in quarantine and plant protection between the governments of Azerbaijan and Mauritania'.

Amendments made to visa procedure are linked with Azerbaijan's approaching to European standards, Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Elmar Mammadyarov said speaking at the opening of 'The South Caucasus in a Changing World "Annual Symposium of International Relations Scholars in Baku today.

Citizens arriving in Baku from the countries where Azerbaijan lacks embassy, can obtain a visa directly in the country.

Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev signed on Tuesday a decree "On introducing amendments to Presidential Decree No.326 dated Sept.13, 2010 " On some issues relating to registration of visas to foreigners and stateless persons arriving in the Republic of Azerbaijan ".

"Transition to European standards is being observed in many industries in Azerbaijan, such as education. The country's transition to Euro-2 standards on emissions of harmful substances may be cited as example," he said.

'The South Caucasus in a Changing World "Annual Symposium of International Relations Scholars is running in Baku from Oct. 22 to 23.

By enhancing regional cooperation and networking, the Symposium aims to contribute to the growing community of scholars in Azerbaijan and the region who are interested in regional politics, economics and international relationships.

The symposium is attended by over 150 foreign and local experts.

The symposium will discuss the topics such as "Global challenges in the regional context," "Problems of regional security - conflict and post-conflict development", "The emerging economic trends in the South Caucasus - the development of information technology and energy" and "Foreign Policy in the Caucasus: strategies and choices".

It is planned to publish a book including papers delivered at the Symposium by participant-scholars. Publication will be distributed to the scientific and think tanks around the world.

Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev has approved changes to the Law on Amendments to the Law on Automobile Transport, AzerTAj state news agency reported.

The following changes and additions have been made to article 27 of the Law on Automobile Transport: the words "from 21 years" in article 27.1 were added the words "having a driver's license confirming the right to drive vehicles of category "DE", "from 24 years"; the words "category "B" in article 27.2 were changed with the words "category "B" or "BE".

Amendments to the Law "Constitutional Court" were adopted during an extraordinary session of the Azerbaijani Parliament.

Chairman of the Parliamentary Committee on Legal Policy and State Building Ali Huseynov said that these additions include consideration of the provisions adopted at the referendum in the Constitutional Court.

"The law includes articles 53.1 and 55.1", Huseynov said.

Article 53.1 provides for the consideration of extending the term of the Azerbaijani Parliament in a state of war. Article 55.1 provides for the consideration of extending the term of the President of Azerbaijan in a state of war.

MP Zahid Oruj said about the importance of taking these amendments, given that it is impossible to hold elections when the country is at war.