(MENAFN- AzerNews)
Elnur Enveroglu read more As reported yesterday the Embassy of Azerbaijan has been
officially inaugurated in Israel with the special participation of
the two countries foreign ministers Jeyhun Bayramov and Eli Cohen,
as well as MPs, members of the general public, and artists.
Baruk Leviyev, political analyst and the head of Israeli based
organization Jerusalemhand, was also present at the opening. Giving
an exclusive interview to Azernews , the first
English-language newspaper in Azerbaijan, Leviyev shared his views
on the opening of our embassy in Israel and its future prospects
between the two countries.
Q: How do you evaluate the importance of opening the
embassy of Azerbaijan in Israel?
A: The opening of Azerbaijan's embassy in
Israel is, first of all, of symbolic importance for two countries
with rich history and culture. It also has practical benefits for
the two countries, especially in the context of economic and
political relations.
As the Foreign Ministers of both countries emphasized at
yesterday's opening event, the opening of the embassy is a step
towards diplomatic, economic and trade relations between Azerbaijan
and Israel.
It can also improve the status of Azerbaijan and Israel in the
international world, and at the same time, it can lead to the
strengthening of security and stability for the two countries.
Q: Israel has always supported the rightful position of
Azerbaijan during the occupation of its territories by Armenia.
Israel has sided with Azerbaijan during the second Karabakh war.
What factors bring the two countries closer together?
A: There are several factors that bring Israel and Azerbaijan
closer:
The most important thing is that Jews and Azerbaijanis have
ancient historical relations. You know that the historical
relations of a group of peoples known as Caucasian Jews or Mountain
Jews with Azerbaijan go back to very ancient times. Another factor
I should emphasize is that Azerbaijan was one of the first Muslim
countries to recognize the state of Israel.
In addition, security cooperation between Azerbaijan and Israel
is of special importance. These relations are based on a long
history of 30 years. In short, Israel helps Azerbaijan in the field
of military equipment, intelligence and supplies, and Azerbaijan
also gives Israel access to strategically important places.
If we approach the close relations of the two countries from
another aspect, the energy factor can be considered to have an
important position here. It is known that Azerbaijan is the largest
oil and gas producer in the region, and Israel's need for energy
resources provides an opportunity to strengthen our economic
relations. Another factor that makes us close is our political
interests. It is known that Israel and Azerbaijan have common
interests in the region and foreign policy. They support each other
and cooperate together in the fight against terrorism.
Q. Despite the fact that Azerbaijan is a reliable
partner and friendly country, some countries show a
non-constructive position towards Azerbaijan. One of such countries
is neighboring Iran, which is allied with Armenia and undermines
the peace process in the South Caucasus. What role can Israel play
in ensuring sustainable peace in the region?
A: First of all, I must say with regret that a state like Iran
is a neighbor of Azerbaijan with a large territory in the region.
The policy of the Iranian government is clear. They treat the state
of Israel in the same way as they treat Azerbaijan. The point is
that Iran cannot normally accept Azerbaijan's relations with Israel
or its brotherly Turkiye in the region, and for this reason, it
often interferes in Azerbaijan's internal politics with its
provocative actions that affect peace and security in the region.
Azerbaijan is a state that is rapidly developing and integrating
into the advanced development of Europe.
Israel is not a country that intends to be involved in a war
with any country. Israel is a self-defending state in its present
state, and our main intention is to co-operate for peace and
development. As for the support of Azerbaijan in the region, you
know that Israel is a loyal country in friendship and based on this
loyalty, it always stands by its partners until the end. I must
note that the opening of the new embassy just yesterday will
further strengthen the chains of Azerbaijan-Israel co-operation in
the future.
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Elnur Enveroglu is AzerNews' staff journalist, follow him on
@elnurmammadli1