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ISRAEL GIVES PRIORITY TO AZERBAIJAN OVER ARMENIA
news.az
Nov 1 2011
Azerbaijan
News.Az interviews Israeli journalist and political activist Avigdor
Eskin.
The media report that a high ranking Armenian official is to visit
Israel to examine the potential for cooperation on strategic issues.
Does this seem likely and, if so, why are the details kept secret?
Israel and Armenia long since established diplomatic relations and
contacts between our countries are regular. Certainly, it is possible
to view any Israeli-Armenian contacts today in the light of Ankara's
hostile attitude towards Jerusalem, but no definite steps are foreseen
by any party.
We can now say for sure that the agenda will include the tragedy of
1915. It should be noted that Israel has never denied that Turkey
allowed the massacres to happen. But the figures presented by the
Armenian side seem unrealistic. Moreover, the Armenians have recently
been accusing us of initiating the massacre and deportation of 1915.
It turned out via Wikileaks that it was the Armenian president that
was behind the anti-Semitic campaign. This all requires discussion.
I have to note that discussions of this issue, like everything else,
will not affect the interests of Baku. Our strategic cooperation will
continue further.
Are relations between Israel and Turkey so bad as to strengthen
relations with Armenia, which is allied with Iran?
Ankara is aggressive and hostile, but Armenia has almost nothing
to offer Israel in this context. There are no clear terms for talks
on strategic cooperation with Yerevan, especially because Israel is
committed to relations with Azerbaijan.
In the light of the media reports, I would like to ask you
a traditional question: may the Knesset recognize the "Armenian
genocide" in response to Turkey?
The Knesset will not recognize the Armenian version as it currently
stands.
Yerevan has already expressed its dissatisfaction that Azerbaijan
is the main CIS importer of Israeli arms. What are the prospects for
Armenian-Israeli cooperation in this sphere?
These talks were held long ago. It is possible to say that Israel
will not establish contacts with Armenia which may hamper deepening
cooperation with Azerbaijan.
The only significant results of talks could be an agreement that
the Israeli lobby will no longer hinder the promotion of Armenian
historical claims against Turkey. But this is not related to
Azerbaijan's interests. It should be noted that no one is accusing
Azerbaijanis of that tragedy. Moreover, thousands of Azerbaijanis
became indirect victims of the events when they were subjected to
Armenian attacks in 1918-19.
In conclusion: can possible Armenian-Israeli cooperation in the
defence sector target Azerbaijan?
This is ruled out. But the reciprocity principle should be observed
in relations between the two countries. Therefore, if Azerbaijan
expects consistency from Israel on Karabakh, it should not hurry
to recognize the Palestinian state. This is what the principle of
reciprocity demands.
news.az
Nov 1 2011
Azerbaijan
News.Az interviews Israeli journalist and political activist Avigdor
Eskin.
The media report that a high ranking Armenian official is to visit
Israel to examine the potential for cooperation on strategic issues.
Does this seem likely and, if so, why are the details kept secret?
Israel and Armenia long since established diplomatic relations and
contacts between our countries are regular. Certainly, it is possible
to view any Israeli-Armenian contacts today in the light of Ankara's
hostile attitude towards Jerusalem, but no definite steps are foreseen
by any party.
We can now say for sure that the agenda will include the tragedy of
1915. It should be noted that Israel has never denied that Turkey
allowed the massacres to happen. But the figures presented by the
Armenian side seem unrealistic. Moreover, the Armenians have recently
been accusing us of initiating the massacre and deportation of 1915.
It turned out via Wikileaks that it was the Armenian president that
was behind the anti-Semitic campaign. This all requires discussion.
I have to note that discussions of this issue, like everything else,
will not affect the interests of Baku. Our strategic cooperation will
continue further.
Are relations between Israel and Turkey so bad as to strengthen
relations with Armenia, which is allied with Iran?
Ankara is aggressive and hostile, but Armenia has almost nothing
to offer Israel in this context. There are no clear terms for talks
on strategic cooperation with Yerevan, especially because Israel is
committed to relations with Azerbaijan.
In the light of the media reports, I would like to ask you
a traditional question: may the Knesset recognize the "Armenian
genocide" in response to Turkey?
The Knesset will not recognize the Armenian version as it currently
stands.
Yerevan has already expressed its dissatisfaction that Azerbaijan
is the main CIS importer of Israeli arms. What are the prospects for
Armenian-Israeli cooperation in this sphere?
These talks were held long ago. It is possible to say that Israel
will not establish contacts with Armenia which may hamper deepening
cooperation with Azerbaijan.
The only significant results of talks could be an agreement that
the Israeli lobby will no longer hinder the promotion of Armenian
historical claims against Turkey. But this is not related to
Azerbaijan's interests. It should be noted that no one is accusing
Azerbaijanis of that tragedy. Moreover, thousands of Azerbaijanis
became indirect victims of the events when they were subjected to
Armenian attacks in 1918-19.
In conclusion: can possible Armenian-Israeli cooperation in the
defence sector target Azerbaijan?
This is ruled out. But the reciprocity principle should be observed
in relations between the two countries. Therefore, if Azerbaijan
expects consistency from Israel on Karabakh, it should not hurry
to recognize the Palestinian state. This is what the principle of
reciprocity demands.