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ISRAELI DEPUTY FM: "WE NEVER DENIED THE ARMENIAN TRAGEDY, BUT WE DO NOT WISH TO BECOME PARTY TO THE CONFRONTATION"
Mediamax
Aug 29, 2011
Armenia
Photo: http://www.infosurhoy.comDanny Ayalon Exclusive interview of
the Israeli Deputy Foreign Minister Danny Ayalon to Mediamax
- What should Israel and Armenia do to take their relations to a new
level? There is an impression that none of the sides is willing to
make steps for a real rapprochement although both sides claim there
are no major political disagreements.
- First of all, I hope that the impression that both sides are not
interested in taking steps to bring themselves closer together is a
false one. Indeed, from our viewpoint there are no weighty problems
in our bilateral relations, but in order to give those ties solid
content we need to operate in a number of spheres:
- First, through mutual high-level visits; - Second, through cultural
and scientific exchanges; - Third, through the improvement of our
economic and commercial ties.
The order is not essential, but that we work as one; while we have
an ambassador (albeit, non-resident) in your country, Armenia has no
parallel representation in Israel. Clearly, an Armenian ambassador in
Israel could also do much on his part to create a closer relationship
between both countries.
- In a recent interview with us Israeli Ambassador to Armenia quite
frankly spoke about the absence of an Armenian Ambassador in Israel,
event non-resident Ambassador. Have you discussed this issue with
your Armenian counterparts and what is their response?
- In this context I have to mention a matter that was raised by
your side at the highest levels; apparently Armenia prefers to see
first and foremost the establishment of a permanent Israeli embassy
in Yerevan. As I see it, I would reverse the order, in other words
strengthening the relations between each other will lead to greater
interaction and will in turn create the need to establish a permanent
embassy. The joint work today of non-resident ambassadors from each
country would result in the need to establish permanent embassies in
both countries.
- Armenian President visited Israel with non-official visit in early
2000, but Israeli President or PM never came to Armenia. What is
the reason? And do you think that such top-level visit could become
possible in the near future?
- The visit of Armenia's President in 2000 was carried out within
the framework of the visit of scores of leaders who came to the Holy
Land to mark the millennium. While we certainly do not belittle the
importance of that visit, it is different from a bilateral State
Visit. Furthermore, the visit of a high-level personage from Israel
is certainly reasonable and I see no impediment to it.
- Israel does not recognize the Armenian Genocide because of the
political reasons and "realpolitik" as your Ambassador told us.
However, don't you think that if such an approach could be "acceptable"
in case of U.S., Britain and other states, Israel should stand over
them as it knows better then everyone what it means - to try to kill
a nation?
- It is no secret that the mass murder of the Armenian people during
the First World War is a most sensitive matter and as a people that
also suffered from persecution and murder we are especially sensitive
to that. However, since the subject, most regrettably, has become
political, it needs to be handled with great care. Israel has never
denied the Armenian tragedy, but we do not wish to become party to
the confrontation between Turkey and Armenian on this important issue.
- Please tell us about the current state of Turkish-Israeli relations.
Do you see any room for improving them soon?
- I do not consider it appropriate to refer within the framework
of an interview to the Armenian press to Israel's relations with a
third country.
- The number of Armenian tourists visiting Israel is growing. Is it
possible to facilitate the visa regime for the Armenian citizens?
- The subject of the visas of Armenians who arrive in Israel is being
examined by us these very days, in keeping with the recommendations
brought by our ambassador following his last visit to your country. We
hope that a solution will soon be found.
- Maybe both sides could implement some joint cultural projects? For
instance, maybe some artists from Armenia can come and perform in the
Armenian Quarter of Jerusalem for all the people living in the city -
Jews, Arabs, Armenians, etc? Are you ready to consider such ideas if
there are made by the Armenian side?
- I have already replied to the idea that you are suggesting in the
first part of my answer to the first question: cultural exchanges are
an integral part of relations between countries and we, of course,
would be happy to host Armenians here in Jerusalem and everywhere
else in Israel. For our part we have already brought a number of
Israeli artists to Armenia, including within the framework of the
last reception we held in celebration of Israel's Independence Day.
Mediamax
Aug 29, 2011
Armenia
Photo: http://www.infosurhoy.comDanny Ayalon Exclusive interview of
the Israeli Deputy Foreign Minister Danny Ayalon to Mediamax
- What should Israel and Armenia do to take their relations to a new
level? There is an impression that none of the sides is willing to
make steps for a real rapprochement although both sides claim there
are no major political disagreements.
- First of all, I hope that the impression that both sides are not
interested in taking steps to bring themselves closer together is a
false one. Indeed, from our viewpoint there are no weighty problems
in our bilateral relations, but in order to give those ties solid
content we need to operate in a number of spheres:
- First, through mutual high-level visits; - Second, through cultural
and scientific exchanges; - Third, through the improvement of our
economic and commercial ties.
The order is not essential, but that we work as one; while we have
an ambassador (albeit, non-resident) in your country, Armenia has no
parallel representation in Israel. Clearly, an Armenian ambassador in
Israel could also do much on his part to create a closer relationship
between both countries.
- In a recent interview with us Israeli Ambassador to Armenia quite
frankly spoke about the absence of an Armenian Ambassador in Israel,
event non-resident Ambassador. Have you discussed this issue with
your Armenian counterparts and what is their response?
- In this context I have to mention a matter that was raised by
your side at the highest levels; apparently Armenia prefers to see
first and foremost the establishment of a permanent Israeli embassy
in Yerevan. As I see it, I would reverse the order, in other words
strengthening the relations between each other will lead to greater
interaction and will in turn create the need to establish a permanent
embassy. The joint work today of non-resident ambassadors from each
country would result in the need to establish permanent embassies in
both countries.
- Armenian President visited Israel with non-official visit in early
2000, but Israeli President or PM never came to Armenia. What is
the reason? And do you think that such top-level visit could become
possible in the near future?
- The visit of Armenia's President in 2000 was carried out within
the framework of the visit of scores of leaders who came to the Holy
Land to mark the millennium. While we certainly do not belittle the
importance of that visit, it is different from a bilateral State
Visit. Furthermore, the visit of a high-level personage from Israel
is certainly reasonable and I see no impediment to it.
- Israel does not recognize the Armenian Genocide because of the
political reasons and "realpolitik" as your Ambassador told us.
However, don't you think that if such an approach could be "acceptable"
in case of U.S., Britain and other states, Israel should stand over
them as it knows better then everyone what it means - to try to kill
a nation?
- It is no secret that the mass murder of the Armenian people during
the First World War is a most sensitive matter and as a people that
also suffered from persecution and murder we are especially sensitive
to that. However, since the subject, most regrettably, has become
political, it needs to be handled with great care. Israel has never
denied the Armenian tragedy, but we do not wish to become party to
the confrontation between Turkey and Armenian on this important issue.
- Please tell us about the current state of Turkish-Israeli relations.
Do you see any room for improving them soon?
- I do not consider it appropriate to refer within the framework
of an interview to the Armenian press to Israel's relations with a
third country.
- The number of Armenian tourists visiting Israel is growing. Is it
possible to facilitate the visa regime for the Armenian citizens?
- The subject of the visas of Armenians who arrive in Israel is being
examined by us these very days, in keeping with the recommendations
brought by our ambassador following his last visit to your country. We
hope that a solution will soon be found.
- Maybe both sides could implement some joint cultural projects? For
instance, maybe some artists from Armenia can come and perform in the
Armenian Quarter of Jerusalem for all the people living in the city -
Jews, Arabs, Armenians, etc? Are you ready to consider such ideas if
there are made by the Armenian side?
- I have already replied to the idea that you are suggesting in the
first part of my answer to the first question: cultural exchanges are
an integral part of relations between countries and we, of course,
would be happy to host Armenians here in Jerusalem and everywhere
else in Israel. For our part we have already brought a number of
Israeli artists to Armenia, including within the framework of the
last reception we held in celebration of Israel's Independence Day.