Regional departments of culture and tourism abolished

President Ilham Aliyev signed a decree on amending the "Regulations of the local executive authorities." The  rule that heads of departments of culture and tourism in the regions and cities of the country appoints the heads of local executive authorities has been removed from the provisions.  The provisions of Chapter regions and municipalities adopted in 2012 have the authority to appoint heads of local offices of the Ministry of Youth and Sports, Ministry of Culture and Tourism, the Ministry of Labour and Social Protection of Population, Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Health in coordination with these central bodies of executive authorities. Perhaps, the President’s decision was made to create better conditions for tourism, often because local officials create obstacles for the sake of their personal interests. In particular, the President amended the Regulation on the Ministry of Culture and Tourism on the establishment of regional offices of Culture and Tourism. Decree also set a limit to the number of employees - 379 staff units, including 160 units of staff for the  ministries,  and 219 staff units for the Main Directorate of Culture and Tourism of Baku, and regional departments of culture and tourism. 06D--