President Ilham Aliyev has signed a decree approving amendments to the law "On Diplomatic Service," introducing updated regulations regarding the activities of foreign service personnel and the granting of diplomatic ranks.
According to the Operative Information Center-OMM, the legislative changes establish specific protocols for diplomatic staff called up for mandatory military or alternative service. Personnel whose service is terminated due to such conscription will be entitled to a severance payment equal to three times their average monthly state salary.
Furthermore, the law guarantees that individuals who served in diplomatic positions prior to their mandatory military service—excluding cases where the diplomatic body itself has been dissolved—retain the right to resume their previous or an equivalent position. To exercise this right, they must apply within 60 calendar days following their discharge from military service.
The amendments also address provisions for the termination of service in the event of an employee's death or if they are declared missing or deceased by a court ruling. In such instances, the heirs of the diplomatic service employee will receive a benefit equal to four times the employee's average monthly state salary.
Additionally, the legislation clarifies the structure of the state salary for diplomatic service employees. It will now comprise the monthly base salary, supplements for diplomatic rank, representation allowances, overtime pay for hours exceeding the standard monthly norm, and other legally mandated supplements related to working conditions, such as those for hazardous environments or challenging climatic conditions.
The diplomatic service in Azerbaijan operates under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, which is responsible for implementing the country's foreign policy, protecting national interests abroad, and managing the diplomatic corps. These legislative updates reflect the ongoing efforts by the Republic of Azerbaijan to modernize its civil service regulations and ensure robust social protections for its diplomatic staff.
