Azerbaijani foreign minister in Israel

Peter Lyukimson, Israel. Exclusively to Vestnik Kavkaza

The visit to Israel by the Foreign Minister of Azerbaijan Elmar Mammadyarov continues. Following Israeli President Shimon Peres, the local media called this visit “historical.” Observers state that this is the first visit of Azerbaijan’s representative of the top level and agree that it will encourage a new stage of development of Israeli-Azerbaijani relations.

Yesterday, Mammadyarov met President Shimon Peres. “Your historic visit to Israel is not only confirmation of warm relations between our countries, but also something more because we appreciate the fact that you are here very much,” Peres said. “Azerbaijan impresses us by its bold and original foreign policy: on the one hand, you are striving for establishing friendly relations will all your neighbors; on the other hand you are an independent state. The unique geographic location of Azerbaijan makes it a key state of the region. We appreciate so much your uncompromised attitude to terrorism, your striving for peace in the regions which is not free from terrorism and violence, unfortunately.”

the president of Israel also touched on the Iranian theme and called Iran “the main threat to the world and the region; and official Tehran sponsors the world terrorism, develops weapons of mass destruction, and creates tension in the whole Middle East.”

Shimon Peres emphasized that Israel saw in Azerbaijan not only a real friend, but also an ally, as relations between two countries crossed the limits of trade turnover long ago. This strategic partnership will be enhanced, according to Israeli President.

Mammadyarov expressed his gratitude to Peres “for the permanent support of the Azerbaijani authorities.” “Azerbaijan is situated in a very complicated region. But we continue establishing our own independent, tolerant, and multicultural state; and now we are at a very difficult stage of development. We believe that a country can achieve true prosperity only on the basis of friendly relations with neighbors inside of the state and abroad, and we strive for these goals in the policy… It is very important to maintain the international and multicultural character of the country for the current authorities of Azerbaijan,” Mammadyarov said.

Israeli President’s team states that it is not the first personal meeting between Peres and Mammadyarov. Israeli President officially visited Azerbaijan and has never missed an opportunity to meet Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev and other top officials in various forums.