Secretary of State of Azerbaijan

The last holder of the position, Professor Lala Shevket herself told in an interview to Azerbaijan International magazine about the scope of the responsibilities of Azerbaijani Secretary of State:

"There's a big difference between the United States' Secretary of State and Azerbaijan's. Our Secretary of State is actually more like a Vice-President. But at the same time, the role and responsibilities of the American Vice-President and the Azerbaijani Vice-President are also totally different. My responsibility covers all aspects of government - from strategy and ideology to the war, defence, and economy. I manage all these. I have to control and watch everything that is going on in the entire country. I also direct all of the Presidential advisors. And, of course, there's Foreign Relations. The President and I work together and make decisions. If he travels somewhere out of the country, the responsibility of the government lies with me. So, actually, I have more responsibility than the U.S. Vice-President. However, according to the Constitution if something should happen to the President, God forbid, the Head of the Parliament would take the President's place - not the State Secretary."

— Lala Shevket, Azerbaijan International, [4][5]

In accordance with the regulations on the State Council, he had the authority to organize its work and coordinate the activities of the members of the State Council, to preside over the meetings of the State Council in the absence of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan or on his instructions.