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JOSEPH SHAGAL: NONE OF ISRAELI SENIOR OFFICIALS WANTED TO MEET ARMENIAN PM
Today
Feb 17 2010
Azerbaijan
Interview with President of Israel-Azerbaijan International Association
and former member of the Israeli Knesset (Parliament) Joseph Shagal.
What is your assessment of the current state of bilateral ties between
Israel and Azerbaijan?
In this sense, Israeli FM Avigdor Lieberman's visit to Azerbaijan
was very significant. Israeli President Shimon Peres made a trip
to Azerbaijan in late 2009 and FM in early 2010. Thus, we can see
improvement in relations between the two countries. I think that our
relations are very good.
After Lieberman's visit, we can say the relations are constructive.
The sides have achieved a number of principle agreements which will
be developed.
During his Azerbaijan visit, Israeli Foreign Minister noted a need to
force the process of lifting visa regime for diplomatic persons. In
your opinion, how far has this process advanced?
I believe that this process is quite constructive. Both sides have
come to agreement that this is worth doing. This is a small, but very
important step. This is the first step to introduce visa-free regime.
Of course, this will not happen in one day. I mean abolition of visas
for Israeli and Azerbaijani citizens. This process is on the right
track at the moment. I think a decision on this matter would be taken
by the end of this year.
The Armenian media reports suggest Armenia is very jealous of
Azerbaijan-Israel rapprochement. In your opinion, what is the reason
for this jealousy?
There are two reasons - Azerbaijan-Israel rapprochement which boosts
positions of both countries. Naturally, Armenia, being in confrontation
with Azerbaijan, cannot welcome it. Armenian Prime Minister Tigran
Sargsyan's visit to Israel was canceled recently due to illness of the
Prime Minister. This is the official version. In fact, I think that
the visit was canceled for another reason. The visit was canceled as
none of the senior political leaders in Israel expressed desire to
meet him. So, it made no sense to pay the visit.
Actually, Israel favors normal, friendly relations with all countries
that are positive towards Israel. Unfortunately, we have seen nothing
positive towards Israel from Armenia so far.
Moreover, given that Israel is building relations with Azerbaijan while
Iran supports Armenia, Israel cannot but worry about it. Iran supports
Armenia promoting position of the latter in the Armenian-Azerbaijani
conflict. All these factors suggest that the Armenian side will never
be satisfied with strengthening of relations between Azerbaijan and
Israel. Armenia has failed to drive a wedge between our countries
and will fail to do so.
Kazakhstan has reiterated on many occasions that it is ready to assist
in resolving the Karabakh conflict. In your views, what assistance
can Kazakhstan provide?
Very serious players have worked to solve the Karabakh conflict. That
the conflict remains unresolved thus far indicates that all attempts
to come to some agreement have failed. In my view, it is always
ineffective to solve such conflicts through mediators. Actual results
are achieved through direct negotiations without any intermediaries.
Therefore, the conflict remains unresolved for many years.
There are no positive results in this respect. I do not think that
Kazakhstan's appearance may bring about any fundamental changes
for the better. In my opinion, Azerbaijan and Armenia should agree
explicitly, without any intermediaries, start a direct dialogue,
clarify their goals, objectives, requirements to address this issue.
The presence of intermediaries only delays the process of negotiations
and leads nowhere.
What are your comments on Armenian President's Chattam House speech?
Do you think his speech undermined whole process of Nagorno-Karabakh
negotiations?
In the context of Armenian-Turkish dialogue and refusal to sign
the protocols, if the process of the Armenian-Turkish rapprochement
would run in parallel with the Karabakh conflict settlement, it would
have benefited all ... The Turkish side argued that it will not seek
rapprochement with Armenia otherwise.
I think that the Armenian-Turkish rapprochement has been suspended
with the problem of the Armenian-Azerbaijani conflict still hanging
in the air.
Today
Feb 17 2010
Azerbaijan
Interview with President of Israel-Azerbaijan International Association
and former member of the Israeli Knesset (Parliament) Joseph Shagal.
What is your assessment of the current state of bilateral ties between
Israel and Azerbaijan?
In this sense, Israeli FM Avigdor Lieberman's visit to Azerbaijan
was very significant. Israeli President Shimon Peres made a trip
to Azerbaijan in late 2009 and FM in early 2010. Thus, we can see
improvement in relations between the two countries. I think that our
relations are very good.
After Lieberman's visit, we can say the relations are constructive.
The sides have achieved a number of principle agreements which will
be developed.
During his Azerbaijan visit, Israeli Foreign Minister noted a need to
force the process of lifting visa regime for diplomatic persons. In
your opinion, how far has this process advanced?
I believe that this process is quite constructive. Both sides have
come to agreement that this is worth doing. This is a small, but very
important step. This is the first step to introduce visa-free regime.
Of course, this will not happen in one day. I mean abolition of visas
for Israeli and Azerbaijani citizens. This process is on the right
track at the moment. I think a decision on this matter would be taken
by the end of this year.
The Armenian media reports suggest Armenia is very jealous of
Azerbaijan-Israel rapprochement. In your opinion, what is the reason
for this jealousy?
There are two reasons - Azerbaijan-Israel rapprochement which boosts
positions of both countries. Naturally, Armenia, being in confrontation
with Azerbaijan, cannot welcome it. Armenian Prime Minister Tigran
Sargsyan's visit to Israel was canceled recently due to illness of the
Prime Minister. This is the official version. In fact, I think that
the visit was canceled for another reason. The visit was canceled as
none of the senior political leaders in Israel expressed desire to
meet him. So, it made no sense to pay the visit.
Actually, Israel favors normal, friendly relations with all countries
that are positive towards Israel. Unfortunately, we have seen nothing
positive towards Israel from Armenia so far.
Moreover, given that Israel is building relations with Azerbaijan while
Iran supports Armenia, Israel cannot but worry about it. Iran supports
Armenia promoting position of the latter in the Armenian-Azerbaijani
conflict. All these factors suggest that the Armenian side will never
be satisfied with strengthening of relations between Azerbaijan and
Israel. Armenia has failed to drive a wedge between our countries
and will fail to do so.
Kazakhstan has reiterated on many occasions that it is ready to assist
in resolving the Karabakh conflict. In your views, what assistance
can Kazakhstan provide?
Very serious players have worked to solve the Karabakh conflict. That
the conflict remains unresolved thus far indicates that all attempts
to come to some agreement have failed. In my view, it is always
ineffective to solve such conflicts through mediators. Actual results
are achieved through direct negotiations without any intermediaries.
Therefore, the conflict remains unresolved for many years.
There are no positive results in this respect. I do not think that
Kazakhstan's appearance may bring about any fundamental changes
for the better. In my opinion, Azerbaijan and Armenia should agree
explicitly, without any intermediaries, start a direct dialogue,
clarify their goals, objectives, requirements to address this issue.
The presence of intermediaries only delays the process of negotiations
and leads nowhere.
What are your comments on Armenian President's Chattam House speech?
Do you think his speech undermined whole process of Nagorno-Karabakh
negotiations?
In the context of Armenian-Turkish dialogue and refusal to sign
the protocols, if the process of the Armenian-Turkish rapprochement
would run in parallel with the Karabakh conflict settlement, it would
have benefited all ... The Turkish side argued that it will not seek
rapprochement with Armenia otherwise.
I think that the Armenian-Turkish rapprochement has been suspended
with the problem of the Armenian-Azerbaijani conflict still hanging
in the air.