AzerNews, Azerbaijan
May 2 2014
Baku, Tel-Aviv keen on deepening ties
2 May 2014, 12:54 (GMT+05:00)
By Nazrin Gadimova
Azerbaijan- Israel ties are developing in all areas, particularly
economy and politics, Azerbaijan's Parliamentary Speaker said.
Ogtay Asadov made the remark at a meeting with Israeli Foreign
Minister Avigdor Lieberman on May 1.
Asadov said trade turnover between the two countries reached more than
$1.3 billion in 2013, adding that seven documents were signed and six
documents are expected to be signed between Azerbaijan and Israel.
Pointing to the role of the Azerbaijan-Israel Chamber of Commerce and
Industry, he expressed confidence that bilateral trades would
increase.
Touching upon the Armenia-Azerbaijan Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, Asadov
lauded Israel's support for Azerbaijan's position and territorial
integrity.
Lieberman, in turn, praised bilateral relations and said there were
good opportunities for boosting cooperation even further, stressing
the role of inter-parliamentary cooperation in strengthening the
bilateral ties.
The Israeli foreign minister met with Parliament's Deputy Speaker
Valeh Alasgarov and members of the international relations standing
committee afterwards.
The meeting discussed bilateral relations in various fields,
particularly communication technologies, science, medicine, and
innovations.
Alasgarov expressed confidence that Lieberman's visit would contribute
to the development of friendship and cooperation between the two
countries, while Lieberman noted the importance of developing
bilateral relations and praised the presence of a strong Azerbaijani
Diaspora in Israel and a Jewish community in Azerbaijan.
Azerbaijani Defense Minister, Colonel-General Zakir Hasanov received a
delegation led by Israeli Foreign Minister on May 2.
During the meeting they discussed bilateral relations between
Azerbaijan and Israel, the military-political situation in the region
and occupation of Azerbaijani lands by Armenia.
The sides also exchanged views on other issues of mutual interest.
Israeli ambassador to Azerbaijan Rafael Harpaz also attended the meeting.
Talking to journalists, the Israeli Foreign Minister said Azerbaijan,
a friendly country for Israel, is an example of tolerance.
He went on to add that the Jews living in Azerbaijan have always felt
comfortable, even during the Holocaust.
The minister said relations between Israel and Azerbaijan are now at
the highest level, adding that the number of Baku-Tel Aviv flights may
increas when there are enough passengers.
Responding to the possible participation of Israel in the OSCE Minsk
Group, Lieberman said such a proposal had not been made.
"However, if there is a proposal, Tel Aviv is ready to consider it,"
Lieberman said.
Referring to the relations between Azerbaijan and Iran, the Israeli
Foreign Minister said his country does not interfere in the affairs of
other states, and each state follows its own interests.
Responding to a question about the possibility of balancing Israel's
foreign policy between Azerbaijan and Armenia, the Minister said the
Israeli government and parliament have a general strategic line, and
no one can change this line in accordance with their views and
sympathies.
"If you look at the regularity of meetings between the representatives
of Israel and Azerbaijan and the level of bilateral cooperation and
trade turnover, then everything will be clear for you," Lieberman
added.
He also spoke about the meetings between the representatives of the
two states, stressing that the foundation of excellent bilateral ties
was laid during Heydar Aliyev's leadership, and President Ilham Aliyev
is continuing this course.
"Bilateral meetings between Ilham Aliyev, Shimon Peres, and Benjamin
Netanyahu in Davos became an important stage in our ties. Last year,
Azerbaijani Foreign Minister paid a visit to Israel. It was a very
successful meeting. Israel and Azerbaijan intend to undertake joint
activities," Lieberman added.
Earlier, Lieberman was received by Azerbaijani President and Foreign Minister.
May 2 2014
Baku, Tel-Aviv keen on deepening ties
2 May 2014, 12:54 (GMT+05:00)
By Nazrin Gadimova
Azerbaijan- Israel ties are developing in all areas, particularly
economy and politics, Azerbaijan's Parliamentary Speaker said.
Ogtay Asadov made the remark at a meeting with Israeli Foreign
Minister Avigdor Lieberman on May 1.
Asadov said trade turnover between the two countries reached more than
$1.3 billion in 2013, adding that seven documents were signed and six
documents are expected to be signed between Azerbaijan and Israel.
Pointing to the role of the Azerbaijan-Israel Chamber of Commerce and
Industry, he expressed confidence that bilateral trades would
increase.
Touching upon the Armenia-Azerbaijan Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, Asadov
lauded Israel's support for Azerbaijan's position and territorial
integrity.
Lieberman, in turn, praised bilateral relations and said there were
good opportunities for boosting cooperation even further, stressing
the role of inter-parliamentary cooperation in strengthening the
bilateral ties.
The Israeli foreign minister met with Parliament's Deputy Speaker
Valeh Alasgarov and members of the international relations standing
committee afterwards.
The meeting discussed bilateral relations in various fields,
particularly communication technologies, science, medicine, and
innovations.
Alasgarov expressed confidence that Lieberman's visit would contribute
to the development of friendship and cooperation between the two
countries, while Lieberman noted the importance of developing
bilateral relations and praised the presence of a strong Azerbaijani
Diaspora in Israel and a Jewish community in Azerbaijan.
Azerbaijani Defense Minister, Colonel-General Zakir Hasanov received a
delegation led by Israeli Foreign Minister on May 2.
During the meeting they discussed bilateral relations between
Azerbaijan and Israel, the military-political situation in the region
and occupation of Azerbaijani lands by Armenia.
The sides also exchanged views on other issues of mutual interest.
Israeli ambassador to Azerbaijan Rafael Harpaz also attended the meeting.
Talking to journalists, the Israeli Foreign Minister said Azerbaijan,
a friendly country for Israel, is an example of tolerance.
He went on to add that the Jews living in Azerbaijan have always felt
comfortable, even during the Holocaust.
The minister said relations between Israel and Azerbaijan are now at
the highest level, adding that the number of Baku-Tel Aviv flights may
increas when there are enough passengers.
Responding to the possible participation of Israel in the OSCE Minsk
Group, Lieberman said such a proposal had not been made.
"However, if there is a proposal, Tel Aviv is ready to consider it,"
Lieberman said.
Referring to the relations between Azerbaijan and Iran, the Israeli
Foreign Minister said his country does not interfere in the affairs of
other states, and each state follows its own interests.
Responding to a question about the possibility of balancing Israel's
foreign policy between Azerbaijan and Armenia, the Minister said the
Israeli government and parliament have a general strategic line, and
no one can change this line in accordance with their views and
sympathies.
"If you look at the regularity of meetings between the representatives
of Israel and Azerbaijan and the level of bilateral cooperation and
trade turnover, then everything will be clear for you," Lieberman
added.
He also spoke about the meetings between the representatives of the
two states, stressing that the foundation of excellent bilateral ties
was laid during Heydar Aliyev's leadership, and President Ilham Aliyev
is continuing this course.
"Bilateral meetings between Ilham Aliyev, Shimon Peres, and Benjamin
Netanyahu in Davos became an important stage in our ties. Last year,
Azerbaijani Foreign Minister paid a visit to Israel. It was a very
successful meeting. Israel and Azerbaijan intend to undertake joint
activities," Lieberman added.
Earlier, Lieberman was received by Azerbaijani President and Foreign Minister.