Azerbaijan-Israel friendship will strengthen and make a great contribution to the development of our states and peoples - the deputy of the Milli Majlis

The Azerbaijani-Israeli friendship will strengthen and make a great contribution to the development of our states and peoples. Anatoly Rafailov, deputy of the Milli Majlis, head of the working group on Azerbaijan-Israel inter-parliamentary relations.

• Anatoly Khaimovich, some time ago the Milli Majlis passed a law on opening an Azerbaijani embassy in Tel Aviv. How will the opening of our embassy in Israel contribute to the further development of relations between the two countries?

- It is very encouraging that the Milli Majlis passed a law on the opening of an Azerbaijani embassy in Israel. The first ambassador has already been appointed to the diplomatic post. This step can be considered the beginning of a new stage in Azerbaijani-Israeli relations. This event was eagerly awaited by the public of both countries and was greeted with great joy. There was a great need for the Azerbaijani embassy to operate in Israel. The 30-year relationship between the two countries covers all spheres of life. The opening of the embassy means the beginning of a new stage of relations between our countries. I express my deep gratitude to the Government of Azerbaijan headed by President Ilham Aliyev for the decision to open our embassy in Israel and for appointing one of the most experienced diplomats to this position.
On the other hand, the opening of the diplomatic service in Israel means that the right voice of Azerbaijan will be more promptly, to the public of Israel, which is one of the most powerful states in the Middle East. In fact, our country is to some extent known to Israeli society. About 70 thousand Jews of Azerbaijani origin residing there, as well as Azerbaijani tourist and trade centers and non-governmental organizations operating in Israel have so far done much in this direction. At the same time, we can mention the International Israel-Azeri Association "Aziz", the organization "Azerbaijani Home in Israel" and others. After that these issues will become more acute, and in Israel they will get better acquainted with Azerbaijan.

• As head of the working group on inter-parliamentary relations between Azerbaijan and Israel, what can you say about the existing relations between the legislative bodies of both states?

- Inter-parliamentary cooperation between Azerbaijan and Israel has always been at the highest level. Parliamentary friendship groups have been active in the parliaments of both countries for many years. The Working Group on Azerbaijan-Israel Interparliamentary Relations in the Milli Majlis closely cooperates with the Israel-Azerbaijan inter-parliamentary friendship group in the Knesset of the State of Israel. We have always received support from our colleagues in the Israeli Knesset on various issues related to Azerbaijan. Israel supported Azerbaijan's righteous cause during the April 2016 fighting and the Second Karabakh War, and has always supported the territorial integrity of our country. From time to time we receive letters of support from Israel on various issues, as well as congratulatory letters on the restoration of Azerbaijan's territorial integrity after the Second Karabakh War in 2020. On both happy and sad days, Israel has always been there for us as a friend. For example, every year we receive letters of condolence for the tragedy of January 20, the Khojaly genocide, as well as messages of support related to other important issues.
For three years of parliamentary activity of the 6th convocation, the Speaker of Parliament Mrs. Sahiba Gafarova, who paid great attention and support to both the State of Israel and the Working Group on Azerbaijan-Israel interparliamentary relations, met several times in the Milli Majlis with the Ambassador of Israel to Azerbaijan George Dick. At these meetings, the speaker praised the ambassador's active diplomatic activity in our country.
During my years as a deputy, I visited Israel several times as head of the working group on Azerbaijan-Israel inter-parliamentary ties. We had many meetings with the Ambassador of Israel to Azerbaijan. The other day members of the working group of the Milli Majlis of the sixth convocation met with the ambassador. During the conversation it was noted that at this stage the strategic partnership between Azerbaijan and Israel is deepening day by day.

• Friendly relations between the peoples of Azerbaijan and Israel have a long history. Our peoples have deeply respected each other's language, religion and culture for many centuries. From time to time attempts were made to undermine our friendly and fraternal relations, but the provocations were unsuccessful. What is the basis of this union?

- Jews living in Azerbaijan have always considered themselves to be indigenous here. Prominent representatives of the Jewish community contribute greatly to the development and progress of our country. Jews compactly residing in the territory of Guba district feel completely safe here. For centuries this country has been a warm nest, a safe home for the Jewish people.
Jews make a great contribution to Azerbaijani society, and they are an important indicator of the tolerance that exists in this country. The Jewish community of Azerbaijan, as well as Azerbaijani Jews living in Israel, serve as a living bridge between the two countries, strengthening our bilateral relations. In difficult times our peoples united brotherly relations and supported each other. Friends are recognized in bad days - said the fathers. Our nations have always been together in times of need. As during World War II, more than 50,000 Jews found refuge in Azerbaijan. Also during the Russo-Ukrainian war, Jews who emigrated from these countries preferred to travel to Israel via friendly Azerbaijan. Every year a number of commemorative events are held in Azerbaijan to honor the victims of the Holocaust. Israel's approach to Azerbaijan is the same. Since the restoration of our country's independence, Israel has supported its territorial integrity on all international levels and voted for its rights.
I would like to note that on April 5, 2022 President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev received co-chair of the Israeli-Azeri Joint Intergovernmental Commission, Israeli Minister of Tourism Yoel Razvozzov. The head of the state stated that relations between the two countries are developing successfully and emphasized the importance of the trade mission of Azerbaijan in Israel and the opening of the Tourism Center.
The head of state spoke about the role of representatives of the diaspora, acting both in Azerbaijan and Israel, in the development of our relations, saying that our peoples have lived together in friendly conditions for centuries. He said that the participation and courage of members of Azerbaijan's Jewish community in the First and Second Karabakh wars are celebrated with respect in our country. At the same time, he stressed that Israel attaches great importance to the expansion of comprehensive relations with Azerbaijan, and expressed confidence that in the coming years relations between the two friendly countries will be further developed.
Here I would like to say that Jews from Azerbaijan render their support to Azerbaijan, no matter what country of the world they live in. By the way, I would also like to note that for two years, well-known Jewish entrepreneurs God Nisanov and Herman Zakharyaev have provided assistance to 92 families living in Guba and Gusar districts, as well as to the families of heroes fallen in the battle of the 44-day Patriotic War through the Charity Fund of Mountain Jews (STMEQI).
These people are always with Azerbaijan and do not deny possible support to our country. It is no coincidence that by the order of President Ilham Aliyev a number of persons, including businessman God Nisanov, known for his achievements in strengthening friendship between peoples and development of the Azerbaijani diaspora, were awarded the Order of Friendship, 3rd degree "For Merits to the Fatherland" and Herman Zakharyaev was awarded the medals "Progress" and "For Merits to Foreign Activity".
I think that the secret of our sincere relations is that mutual respect between both peoples and nations has been preserved and passed on from generation to generation for centuries.
In the second Karabakh war under the leadership of the victorious Commander-in-Chief Ilham Aliyev, our heroic army won a brilliant victory. At the moment intensive construction works are carried out on the lands liberated from the occupation. President Ilham Aliyev expressed his gratitude for the participation of Israeli companies in the restoration and reconstruction works carried out in these territories.
- If we look at the political chronicle of this year, we really see that Azerbaijani-Israeli relations are developing dynamically in the modern era. On April 25, 2022 President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev received the Minister of Finance of Israel, and on April 5 of the same year, as I mentioned above, the co-chair of the Israeli-Azeri Joint Intergovernmental Commission, Israeli Minister of Tourism Yoel Razvozov.
At both meetings, the head of state noted the successful development of relations between the two countries and emphasized the importance of the trade mission of Azerbaijan in Israel and the opening of the Tourist Center. The head of our state drew attention to the successful cooperation between our countries in the military-technical sphere for many years. Israeli companies have always stated that they are ready to participate in the process of restoration of infrastructure in Karabakh.
An Israeli company has built a dairy farm in the village of Agali in Zangilan district - "ağıllı kənd. Other projects in which Israel participates or discusses the possibility of participation are related to water management, renewable energy and agriculture. Israel has also provided some opportunities for cooperation in the field of "ağıllı şəhər.

• Azerbaijan has been proactive in establishing Israeli-Turkish relations, and positive results have already been achieved. How, in your opinion, can the Azerbaijan-Turkey-Israel alliance affect the processes taking place in the region?

- I must note that Turkey is the first Muslim country that recognized Israel's independence in 1949. Friendly relations between Israel and Turkey have existed for many years. The two countries have long cooperated with each other in military, strategic and diplomatic fields. Turkey, like Azerbaijan, is one of the Muslim countries where the Jewish people found refuge during World War II.
Unfortunately, relations between Turkey and Israel deteriorated in 2010 due to an attack on ships carrying humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip. In December 2015, the states of Turkey and Israel tried to negotiate in order to restore relations, and on June 27, 2016, an agreement was reached to normalize relations.
Relations between Israel and Turkey are now being restored, and this process is gradually developing more and more dynamically. Thus, the mutual talks and visits of officials of the two countries, especially the official visit of the President of Israel to Turkey after a long break, have shown their effect in restoring bilateral relations. At the meetings held there, this historic visit was described as a new positive turning point in relations between the two countries. For his part, Israeli President Issac Hersok deplored the stagnation in relations between Israel and Turkey in recent years and stressed that the deepening of relations between the two countries is a very positive signal for the region. As a result of intensive visits by Israeli and Turkish officials, relations, once again accelerated, are already developing at the diplomatic level. Thus, the opening of embassies in both countries is a very welcome development, and the President of Israel is in favor of the resumption of full diplomatic relations with Turkey. It is no longer a secret that President Ilham Aliyev, a skilful Azerbaijani diplomat known for his special and profound strategy, has played an undeniable role in improving relations between Turkey and Israel. Sincere relations between our countries are a positive thing both for Azerbaijan and the entire region. The Turkey-Israel-Azerbaijan geopolitical triangle, which will be formed in the future, is very important from a strategic point of view. This cooperation will be beneficial for the entire region. The development of relations between the three countries with positive dynamics creates a new stage of development in the vast geography - the Mediterranean, Middle East and South Caucasus regions. The opening of the Turkish Embassy in Israel, the opening of the Azerbaijani Embassy there and the restoration of the Israeli Embassy in Turkey will give a new impetus to the development of multifaceted cooperation. The development of relations between these three states will make it possible to ease political tensions in the region and create new economic projects.
Azerbaijan is a strategic ally of both Turkey and Israel. This will serve both security and development in the region. In other words, this rapprochement lays the foundation for a new economic and political configuration in the region in question. It should be taken into account that modern challenges determine the development of regional cooperation as an important condition. In this sense, the re-strengthening of the relations between the three states opens up important prospects for Azerbaijan.

• Israel ambassadors to Eurasia have gathered in Baku. What does the holding of such an important meeting in the capital of Azerbaijan testify to?

- Of course, this choice is not accidental and is the result of the friendship and deep relationship between Israel and Azerbaijan. I think this important event shows the growing influence of Azerbaijan in the region. Aliza Bin-Nun, political director of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Israel, who participated in the event, said in her interview: "Our relations with Azerbaijan are very special indeed. I believe and express confidence that our special relationship with Azerbaijan will continue to develop. The very good, constructive relations that have developed over many years between Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev will certainly be useful in this regard".
At the same time, Ms. Aliza Bin-Nun added that the calls and threats were discussed in meetings held in Baku. But he believes that Israel has promising opportunities with Azerbaijan and other countries in the region. For example, Ms. Aliza Bin-Nuniqi expressed her desire to see closer cooperation between the states in water management, agriculture, cybersecurity and other areas. After the conclusion of the Israeli ambassadors' conference, the delegation, led by Israeli Foreign Ministry Political Director Aliza Bin-Nuni, visited Shehid Alley as a symbol of solidarity with the Azerbaijani people and paid tribute to the January 20 victims.
It is no secret that Azerbaijan and Israel are military-strategic allies. First, the use of Israeli-made UAVs during the April 2016 fighting, as well as the large-scale use of Harop and other Israeli-made weapons in the Second Karabakh War once again demonstrated this alliance. The friendship and cooperation between Azerbaijan and Israel are of strategic importance. I have no doubt that these relations between the two states will deepen and strengthen, develop dynamically, and in the future will bring great contributions to both states and peoples.

Nasimi Abilov