Azernews.Az

Azerbaijan on Sunday started simplified visa issuance to foreign nationals who will visit the country on the occasion of the Eurovision 2012 song contest, the Foreign Ministry said.

Guests can obtain the visas from entities of the ministry`s consulate department located in Azerbaijan`s international airports.

The basis for receiving a visa is an invitation letter from the Eurovision organizing committee, a document affirming the accreditation in accordance with European Broadcasting Union rules or a ticket for Eurovision 2012.

Visas for the people visiting based on an official invitation of the organizing committee as well as participants and members of delegations accredited in accordance with the broadcasting union`s rules will be issued from April 15 to June 1, while for accredited journalists and fun club members as well as persons who have purchased tickets - from May 10 to June 1.

The Eurovision semi-final rounds will be held in the capital Baku on May 22 and May 24 and the final on May 26.

The song contest will be held in the newly built Baku Crystal Hall, located near the National Flag Square in the seaside park.

The contractor has completed the construction and turned over the Baku Crystal Hall complex, Executive Director of Heydar Aliyev Foundation, Anar Alakbarov, said Monday.

Heydar Aliyev Foundation is an official partner of the Eurovision Song Contest 2012.

Alakbarov told a press conference that there were difficulties during the construction due to inclement weather, which had resulted in a three-week delay in construction work.

``But the grand arena comprising 25,000 seats is already commissioned. The arena, which will host the Eurovision Song Contest, will be further used for other grand concerts,`` Alakbarov said.

He said special equipment will be first installed in the concert hall in time for the song contest.

According to Alakbarov, as part of preparations for the event, special vehicles are being brought, hotels are being prepared, attention increased to issues of deliberate increases in hotel prices, along with organization of travel routes, preparation of cultural centers, etc.

Azerbaijan won the right to host the prestigious European song contest after the victory of Eldar Gasimov and Nigar Jamal (Ell/Nikki) at Eurovision 2011 in Dusseldorf, Germany.