Alex Kaplun: “We are gaining momentum not only in Azerbaijan, but also in Israel”

Interview by Peter Lyukimson, Israel. Exclusively to Vestnik Kavkaza

Vestnik Kavkaza discussed the results of Israeli Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman's recent visit to Azerbaijan with member of the Israeli delegation and member of the Israeli-Azerbaijani Trade Chamber Alex Kaplun.

-       Alex, let us begin with a question about the Israeli delegation. Who formed it? And what was the aim of Lieberman's visit?

-       The number of the members of the delegation was quite limited. The exact membership was settled only a couple of days before the actual visit. Apart from members of the governmental staff and the embassy there were only four people. They were the chairman of the joint interparliamentary commission Amnon Koen MP, former lawmaker and head of the AZIZ association Alex Miller, Deputy Mayor of Jokneam Roman Peres and me. By the way, the last two people are of Azerbaijani origin. I believe it is quite clear that the aim of the visit is to improve bilateral ties.

Plenty of issues were discussed during the visit, among them were political and strategic issues for both states.

-       The schedule of the visit was intense. What were the most important and fruitful meetings conducted by the Israelis?

-       It is true that the schedule was intense. Every day Minister Lieberman held about 7-9 meetings which demanded maximum concentration. I don’t mention that meetings were organized in different ends of the city. As for the importance of the meetings, when all of them involve President Ilham Aliyev and the most important and powerful ministers, it is difficult to point out the most significant one. Each meeting contributed to personal and intergovernmental relations.

Along with official meetings, there were visits to joint Azerbaijani-Israeli facilities. Speaking about meetings, I can't help but mention our visit to a new synagogue, where representatives of the Jewish community of Azerbaijan gathered. The hall was full, a lot of warm words were spoken; people stood up when the Azerbaijani and Israeli anthems were played. We listen to songs in Hebrew, drank tea and spoke about common things. I think it was an unforgettable evening.

-       Do you think there are prospects for expansion of Israeli-Azerbaijani cooperation or it is complete and there will be no new directions in it? If there are prospects, in what spheres are they?

-       You’ve touched on a very important topic. The answer is simple. On the one hand, relations are very warm. A lot has been written and said. Israel and Azerbaijan are real friends and partners in the international arena. I don’t know other Muslim states where Jews are members of parliament, where synagogues are being built and financed by the state, where the word “Israel” causes positive emotions and words of respect from local residents. We have similar problems, which demand similar decisions. Azerbaijan has a lot to give Israel and vice versa. We have grounds for the most friendly relations between our countries.

Of course it is early to speak about “completeness.” We have to do plenty of things in the future. The Israelis don’t know what Azerbaijan is. The Azerbaijanis don’t know Israel well. Many directions are not involved in our cooperation. I mean agriculture, high technologies, cyber security, water technologies, healthcare, and so on.

We can discuss it for a long time. We are working on several projects. If they are implemented successfully, I think in a few years I will answer your questions more optimistically.

-       What is a level of development of economic and trade ties? Are governmental and business circles satisfied with them?

-       The question is closely connected with the previous one. I mean my answer is a part of my previous answer. The main reason for foundation of the Chamber of Commerce was increasing business ties between Azerbaijani and Israeli companies. I mean private business. Whatever warm and firm political relations between countries are, the real foundation of long-term cooperation is private business.

Let’s look at our relations with Turkey. For years they have been perfect. Suddenly, an incident happened and the relations worsened. A political winter began. However, business contacts were so firm and developed that nobody planned to break them. As a result, we had 25-percent growth of turnover with Turkey in the last year.

As for our turnover with Azerbaijan, it is huge. Everybody knows this. But my point of view is different.

The real picture is that when we take away turnover and projects which are initiated at the governmental level from the $4 billion, the real turnover will be only $200-300 million. It is not much. And it doesn’t reflect the scales of real potential of our cooperation.

As for the mentioned directions, they are mentioned at all meetings and levels. Israeli companies are the best in the world in the spheres. What is happening in reality? Today Azerbaijan is working with companies of other countries in the spheres – Turkey, Italy, Germany, the USA, and so on.

Why so? There are many reasons. The main reason is that Israeli companies don’t understand the local business mentality, Azerbaijani companies need a lot of time for decision-making, financial issues are not transparent, and so on. There are many examples.

We have ideas how we can change this. We will need the support of key figures from both sides, but I believe we will manage to do this.

-       Is there an opportunity for Azerbaijani exports to Israel?

-       I think in the future there will be more and more such goods. Today we have small Israeli plants which import raw materials from Azerbaijan.

But let me give you an unexpected example from the sphere of high technologies. e-Government is a very popular topic in Azerbaijan. We have something to learn from it. The Asan Imza electronic centers established by the local company of Best Solutions are a real revolution in elimination of bureaucratic obstacles in providing services for Azerbaijani citizens. Today a citizen comes to a room in Baku and gets services from different state facilities on the spot; while you and I have to run all over the city. This is our famous Israeli high-tech!

-       Was the visit fruitful for you as a representative of the Israeli-Azerbaijani Chamber of Commerce? What has been done? What will be done in the future?

-       The visit was very efficient. It was first time we represented the Chamber of Commerce at the level of ministers and MPs of Azerbaijan. I would like to express gratitude to our Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman for his decision to include the Chamber of Commerce in his delegation. I think the minister appreciated our work on developing relations between our countries. It means we are gaining momentum not only in Azerbaijan, but also in Israel.

-       The mass media spread Lieberman’s words that relations with Azerbaijan “are especially important for Israel.” What is of special importance?

-       The importance of the friendship is clear for Israel. Today it is the most friendly Muslim state in the world for us, even though it is situated in a difficult region. Isn’t this enough? As for me, I am subjective. I was born and raised in Azerbaijan. My children are Israelis. I am a patriot of Israel and I love Azerbaijan so much. When I left Baku 20 years ago, I could only dream about such a friendship between our states.