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ISRAELI-AZERBAIJANI RELATIONS WILL CONTINUE AT HIGH SPIRIT - ENVOY
http://www.news.az/articles/politics/75201
Mon 21 January 2013
News.Az interviews Rafael Harpaz, Ambassador Extraordinary and
Plenipotentiary of Israel to Azerbaijan.
What important events was the past year remarkable for in the
Azerbaijani-Israeli relations, and what are the priorities of
cooperation between the two countries this year?
Past year we saw the continuation of good relations between Azerbaijan
and Israel. The fact that these relations are good enabled holding
discussions in all spheres covering our bilateral relations.
We observe this in economy, energy and tourism. Last year, several
Israeli officials, including Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman and
energy and agriculture ministers, visited Azerbaijan.
Also, Azerbaijani Economic Development Minister Shahin Mustafayev
paid a visit to Israel, and other visits were held within economic
conferences. A match between our national football team and Azerbaijani
national football team was held. At Eurovision Song Contest, a big
Israeli delegation came to Baku. The list can go on.
In 2013, as in previous year, our relations will continue at high
spirit. This year our cooperation will mainly have for priorities.
They include information technologies, water technologies, agriculture
and medical technologies.
A rather important element is energy. Israel has gained a large amount
of natural gas resources. But we do not have big experience in this
sphere, including drilling and tax issues. Israel has newly formed
a Fund just like your State Oil Fund. So, we would like to learn
Azerbaijan's experience in this field.
Additionally, SOCAR's Caspian Drilling Company is already operating
in Israel.
As you said, you want to get advantage of Azerbaijan's experience in
energy. What negotiations are underway in this regard?
Of course, we have discussed this issue during the Israeli energy
minister's visit to Azerbaijan. In this sphere Israel is in a state
as Azerbaijan was 15 years ago. Naturally, there is a need to learn
the experience in the field of energy structure. It's a good thing
to learn it from a fraternal country like Azerbaijan. In the four
fields that I mentioned, Israel has a big experience. Israel's private
sector has a big interest in Azerbaijan. Our country has for already
two years been participating in exhibition BakuTel, and it has a
separate stand there. I think that Azerbaijan has a beautiful image
as a country having favorable conditions for business in the private
sector of Israel.
Azerbaijan and Israel also cooperate in military and security field.
How do you assess the cooperation in this field?
There is a very fine cooperation between our countries in all
spheres. Azerbaijan's role as a non-permanent member of the UN
Security Council is very important and highly appreciated. I repeat
that our countries have a very fine dialogue and high-level relations
in all spheres.
Azerbaijan supports the establishment of the independent Palestinian
state, and voted for the observer state status of Palestine at the
UN. How do you assess such position of Azerbaijan?
Such position of Azerbaijan has no effect on the Israeli-Azerbaijani
relations. Azerbaijan can build friendly relations with Israel and
the Palestinian people at the same time. We ourselves are supporters
of peace. We hope that the leadership of the Palestinian Autonomy
will agree to resume the negotiations.
Recently, Mahmoud Abbas signed a decree on naming the Palestinian
National Authority as "the State of Palesite". How do you see the
solution of the issue after that?
Agreement between Israel and Palestinians can be reached only through
direct negotiations. The one-side measures of the Palestinians
will not bring them close to statehood, and these steps violate the
existing agreements between Israel and the Palestinians. In the last
several years, Israel has made important steps to facilitate commerce
and trade for the Palestinian people and for the restoration of the
negotiations. Unfortunately, the leader of the Palestinian Autonomy
refused to return to the table of negotiation, and instead, headed
towards the UN.
The position of Israel in the issue of Nagorno-Karabakh is obvious.
As you know, the Armenians have recently commissioned the Khojaly
airport in the occupied Azerbaijani lands, and flights will be launched
in coming days. What's your attitude to it?
As you said, our position on the Nagorno-Karabakh issue is clear.
Learning from the experience in the region, we hope for the peaceful
settlement of the issue. Israel supports the territorial integrity
of Azerbaijan and endeavors of the OSCE Minsk Group.
There were big possibilities last year that Israel will attack Iran.
What position will Israel take in this issue this year?
It is important to understand that Iran is a problem of not just
Israel. This is an issue of international involvement. There
are several points here. First of all, Iran seeks to acquire a
nuclear weapon. Second, Iran is a sponsor of the biggest terrorist
organizations, including the Islamic Jihad, Hezbollah, HAMAS and
other organizations.
The third point is that Iran has a very extremist and radical ideology
and wants to inject it to all Muslim countries. The point is that
the unification of such an ideology with a nuclear weapon poses a big
threat to the international community. Finally, Iran is the biggest
source of instability in the Middle East. Sanctions imposed against
Iran are very important and they already reveal their effect.
Last year, Iran's gains in the oil sector decreased by 45%. In
addition, the Iranian real has depreciated. It's important to continue
and support these sanctions.
Foreign media frequently writes about discussions between Azerbaijan,
Western circles and Israel on attack on Iran. But official Baku has
categorically declared that it will not allow its territories to be
used against Iran. How do you assess this position?
I can only say that all these news a like the movies of James Bond,
that is, fantasy.
How do you see the future of Turkish-Israeli relations?
Turkey is a very important country. Israel and Turkey share common
interests in many issues. I hope that relations between the two
countries will improve.
Though the "Arab spring" revolutions changed the geopolitical landscape
of the region, the processes didn't go as expected. That is, in Arab
countries, for instance, Egypt and Tunis, those sharing Western values
didn't come to power. Given this, how will Israel form its policy in
relation to these countries?
Of course, we are observing the unfolding events, because they
are around us. Israel advocates good relations with all counties,
especially if they are Arab or Muslim countries. But we don't intervene
in internal affairs of countries. It's not our business. We wish
prosperity and development of those states. I hope that it will be
so in the future, and we are interested in it.
Have you visited Azerbaijani regions and how do you asses tourism
potential of the regions and cooperation of the two countries in
this field?
I have discussed this with Culture and Tourism Minister Abulfas
Garayev. As you know, one of the biggest diasporas of Azerbaijan is
in Israel. I think Azerbaijan is a country with big potential, you
have warm and kind people. The regions have beautiful and developed
infrastructure. In other words, the potential is big. I have visited
Gabala, Guba, Lahij and Shirvan. Each of them is beautiful and I liked
them. Baku is also very beautiful. There are direct flights between
Israel and Azerbaijan, tourists come here from our countries and go
to Israel from here. In addition, students of the Azerbaijan Tourism
Institute have for several years been participating in experience
programs, because Israel is a country with big experience in this
field. There are big potential opportunities in this sphere.
I also note that I feel at ease in Azerbaijan. Your people are very
friendly. I love the Azerbaijani mugam, its cuisine, as well. In
other words, I am very satisfied of being in Azerbaijan.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress
http://www.news.az/articles/politics/75201
Mon 21 January 2013
News.Az interviews Rafael Harpaz, Ambassador Extraordinary and
Plenipotentiary of Israel to Azerbaijan.
What important events was the past year remarkable for in the
Azerbaijani-Israeli relations, and what are the priorities of
cooperation between the two countries this year?
Past year we saw the continuation of good relations between Azerbaijan
and Israel. The fact that these relations are good enabled holding
discussions in all spheres covering our bilateral relations.
We observe this in economy, energy and tourism. Last year, several
Israeli officials, including Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman and
energy and agriculture ministers, visited Azerbaijan.
Also, Azerbaijani Economic Development Minister Shahin Mustafayev
paid a visit to Israel, and other visits were held within economic
conferences. A match between our national football team and Azerbaijani
national football team was held. At Eurovision Song Contest, a big
Israeli delegation came to Baku. The list can go on.
In 2013, as in previous year, our relations will continue at high
spirit. This year our cooperation will mainly have for priorities.
They include information technologies, water technologies, agriculture
and medical technologies.
A rather important element is energy. Israel has gained a large amount
of natural gas resources. But we do not have big experience in this
sphere, including drilling and tax issues. Israel has newly formed
a Fund just like your State Oil Fund. So, we would like to learn
Azerbaijan's experience in this field.
Additionally, SOCAR's Caspian Drilling Company is already operating
in Israel.
As you said, you want to get advantage of Azerbaijan's experience in
energy. What negotiations are underway in this regard?
Of course, we have discussed this issue during the Israeli energy
minister's visit to Azerbaijan. In this sphere Israel is in a state
as Azerbaijan was 15 years ago. Naturally, there is a need to learn
the experience in the field of energy structure. It's a good thing
to learn it from a fraternal country like Azerbaijan. In the four
fields that I mentioned, Israel has a big experience. Israel's private
sector has a big interest in Azerbaijan. Our country has for already
two years been participating in exhibition BakuTel, and it has a
separate stand there. I think that Azerbaijan has a beautiful image
as a country having favorable conditions for business in the private
sector of Israel.
Azerbaijan and Israel also cooperate in military and security field.
How do you assess the cooperation in this field?
There is a very fine cooperation between our countries in all
spheres. Azerbaijan's role as a non-permanent member of the UN
Security Council is very important and highly appreciated. I repeat
that our countries have a very fine dialogue and high-level relations
in all spheres.
Azerbaijan supports the establishment of the independent Palestinian
state, and voted for the observer state status of Palestine at the
UN. How do you assess such position of Azerbaijan?
Such position of Azerbaijan has no effect on the Israeli-Azerbaijani
relations. Azerbaijan can build friendly relations with Israel and
the Palestinian people at the same time. We ourselves are supporters
of peace. We hope that the leadership of the Palestinian Autonomy
will agree to resume the negotiations.
Recently, Mahmoud Abbas signed a decree on naming the Palestinian
National Authority as "the State of Palesite". How do you see the
solution of the issue after that?
Agreement between Israel and Palestinians can be reached only through
direct negotiations. The one-side measures of the Palestinians
will not bring them close to statehood, and these steps violate the
existing agreements between Israel and the Palestinians. In the last
several years, Israel has made important steps to facilitate commerce
and trade for the Palestinian people and for the restoration of the
negotiations. Unfortunately, the leader of the Palestinian Autonomy
refused to return to the table of negotiation, and instead, headed
towards the UN.
The position of Israel in the issue of Nagorno-Karabakh is obvious.
As you know, the Armenians have recently commissioned the Khojaly
airport in the occupied Azerbaijani lands, and flights will be launched
in coming days. What's your attitude to it?
As you said, our position on the Nagorno-Karabakh issue is clear.
Learning from the experience in the region, we hope for the peaceful
settlement of the issue. Israel supports the territorial integrity
of Azerbaijan and endeavors of the OSCE Minsk Group.
There were big possibilities last year that Israel will attack Iran.
What position will Israel take in this issue this year?
It is important to understand that Iran is a problem of not just
Israel. This is an issue of international involvement. There
are several points here. First of all, Iran seeks to acquire a
nuclear weapon. Second, Iran is a sponsor of the biggest terrorist
organizations, including the Islamic Jihad, Hezbollah, HAMAS and
other organizations.
The third point is that Iran has a very extremist and radical ideology
and wants to inject it to all Muslim countries. The point is that
the unification of such an ideology with a nuclear weapon poses a big
threat to the international community. Finally, Iran is the biggest
source of instability in the Middle East. Sanctions imposed against
Iran are very important and they already reveal their effect.
Last year, Iran's gains in the oil sector decreased by 45%. In
addition, the Iranian real has depreciated. It's important to continue
and support these sanctions.
Foreign media frequently writes about discussions between Azerbaijan,
Western circles and Israel on attack on Iran. But official Baku has
categorically declared that it will not allow its territories to be
used against Iran. How do you assess this position?
I can only say that all these news a like the movies of James Bond,
that is, fantasy.
How do you see the future of Turkish-Israeli relations?
Turkey is a very important country. Israel and Turkey share common
interests in many issues. I hope that relations between the two
countries will improve.
Though the "Arab spring" revolutions changed the geopolitical landscape
of the region, the processes didn't go as expected. That is, in Arab
countries, for instance, Egypt and Tunis, those sharing Western values
didn't come to power. Given this, how will Israel form its policy in
relation to these countries?
Of course, we are observing the unfolding events, because they
are around us. Israel advocates good relations with all counties,
especially if they are Arab or Muslim countries. But we don't intervene
in internal affairs of countries. It's not our business. We wish
prosperity and development of those states. I hope that it will be
so in the future, and we are interested in it.
Have you visited Azerbaijani regions and how do you asses tourism
potential of the regions and cooperation of the two countries in
this field?
I have discussed this with Culture and Tourism Minister Abulfas
Garayev. As you know, one of the biggest diasporas of Azerbaijan is
in Israel. I think Azerbaijan is a country with big potential, you
have warm and kind people. The regions have beautiful and developed
infrastructure. In other words, the potential is big. I have visited
Gabala, Guba, Lahij and Shirvan. Each of them is beautiful and I liked
them. Baku is also very beautiful. There are direct flights between
Israel and Azerbaijan, tourists come here from our countries and go
to Israel from here. In addition, students of the Azerbaijan Tourism
Institute have for several years been participating in experience
programs, because Israel is a country with big experience in this
field. There are big potential opportunities in this sphere.
I also note that I feel at ease in Azerbaijan. Your people are very
friendly. I love the Azerbaijani mugam, its cuisine, as well. In
other words, I am very satisfied of being in Azerbaijan.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress