(MENAFN- AzerNews)
Sabina Mammadli read more The relations between Israel and Azerbaijan have reached a new
high following the long-awaited opening of the Azerbaijani embassy
in Israel's Tel Aviv. The current two-day visit of Israeli Foreign
Minister Eli Cohen to Baku serves to prove the depth of the
bilateral cooperation.
It is also worth noting that the visiting minister came with the
biggest Israeli delegation to ever accompany an Israeli minister on
a visit to Azerbaijan. The visit is aimed at expanding the existing
cooperation in the economy, cyber security, education and other
spheres. Several agreements will also be signed.
Besides, receiving the Israeli FM, Azerbaijani President Ilham
Aliyev expressed the country's interest in Israel's experience in
water resource management, seawater desalination, prevention of
desertification and desert and semi-desert farming.
In a comment to Azernews , well-known Israeli
political analyst, Doctor of Law, international relations expert Michael Finkel pointed out that the“unprecedented
friendship between Azerbaijan and Israel, our business and military
cooperation angers our enemies, and we have common enemies”.
Besides, the expert emphasized that Israel and Azerbaijan are
not just two allied states that have common goals, and common
visions for the development of the region, but two fraternal
nations.
“I know that in Azerbaijan the fraternal nation is Turkiye, but
the majority of Azerbaijanis also feel and understand that their
fraternal peoples are also the Jewish people through our common
Khazar history,” Finkel highlighted.
Speaking about the visit of the Israeli foreign minister, the
pundit noted that the current visit of minister Eli Cohen is not
accidental. He also evaluated the visit as“another even higher
milestone”.
“And I think it is not right to disclose the reason for this
visit, but certainly the true reason is to confront those external
threats that exist and are aimed against our states. Therefore, I
am sure that this is another very serious and important step. And
as it has always been in the relations between Azerbaijan and
Israel, they always seemed to me like some kind of iceberg, most of
which was underwater and only a smaller part of which was visible,”
Finkel remarked.
Furthermore, the expert talked about the historic opening of the
embassy in Tel Aviv, noting that he had the honor to attend it.
“It was a major milestone that we have been waiting for 30
years. For objective reasons, which are clear only to those who
understand, this could not be done earlier, which Israel is not
offended by at all and understands,” he added.
Finkel also expressed gratefulness to the leader of Azerbaijan,
Ilham Aliyev, for making the right decision and opening this
embassy.
“It was a long-awaited move. The opening of this embassy, of
course, will open many doors for business and cooperation in
completely different areas, in the defense industry, in the tourism
sector, and in the field of mutual understanding between the two
peoples. Therefore, this was a very important step that will serve
to further strengthen our unprecedented good relations and ties.
There are very few countries in the world that are as close to each
other as Israel and Azerbaijan. And we in Israel understand this
and appreciate it very much,” he finalized.
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Sabina Mammadli is AzerNews' staff journalist, follow her on
Twitter: @sabinammdl