Pyotr Lyukimson, Israel; Dria Melikhova, Moscow. Exclusively to Vestnik Kavkaza
The foreign minister of Azerbaijan Elmar Mamedyarov is to visit Israel on April 21st. The program of the visit includes meetings between Mamedyarov and President of Israel Shimon Peres, Premier Benjamin Netanyahu, the chairman of the parliament Yuli Edelstein, and some top Israeli politicians and officials.
Vestnik Kavkaza was told by the Foreign Ministry of Israel that the most delicate topic for the discussion will be “the Iranian and Turkish problems” (what exactly is meant under this, Israel doesn’t comment on), as well as cooperation of Israel and Azerbaijan in various international organizations and coordination of positions of two countries, considering the fact Azerbaijan is a timely member of the UN Security Council. Some analysts assumed that Shimon Peres and Benjamin Netanyahu will ask Mamedyarov to interfere with the tensed process of normalization of relations with Turkey and to help to reduce the tension. Moreover, Elmar Mamedyarov intends to meet natives from Azerbaijan, who live in Israel.
Ahead of the visit the ambassador of Israel in Azerbaijan Rafi Harpaz gave an interview to Israeli journalists and stated that relations between two countries were developing successfully; and Azerbaijani experts are helping Israel in exploration of new deposits found in Israel. Answering the question on whether he feels anti-Semitism attitudes in Azerbaijan, Rafi Harpaz answered the following: “There is no anti-Semitism at all. On the contrary, respect to Jews is felt, as well as to other nations – this attitude to “aliens” underlies Azerbaijani culture. I have no doubts that a great potential is hidden in development of relations with Azerbaijan; and we should continue cooperation to elicit the potential.”
The ambassador of Israel in Russia, Dorit Goldner, called the coming visit by Mamedyarov to Tel-Aviv historical. She told it to Vestnik Kavkaza in an exclusive interview. “Azerbaijan’s foreign minister has never visited Israel before,” she added. “Such visits contribute to positive development of further relationships,” Goldner said. She estimated current relations between the countries as very positive and reminded that a lot of natives from Azerbaijan lived in Israel. The Society of Israel and Azerbaijan Friendship is working there. “Israel pays great attention to relationships with the country,” Goldner emphasized. She also touched on relations between Israel and Turkey. According to the ambassador, in recent times they have a positive dynamics which was encouraged by a series of meetings between representatives of two countries. “I am sure that these relations will recover; mutual understanding will be improved; and previous warm relations will return to a high level,” Dorit Goldner said.
According to Dorit Goldner, “2013 is a crucial year in the state history. The 65th anniversary of our country means a border between a young and a mature state. Looking at the whole history of establishing the state of Israel and the 65th anniversary of the country, many people try to understand what a miracle it is – the Jewish state which after so many years revived from ash, protected itself, built itself, and took firm positions in the world. What is a secret for fantastic Israeli achievements in science, industry, medicine, and agriculture? Speaking about Israeli economy, its GDP in 2012 reached $237 billion; it was $200 billion five years ago. The GDP per a person is $32 200, five years ago it was $27 000. Israel takes the first place in the world on effectiveness of the Central National Bank; it takes the first place in the world on resistance to economic risks and investments in scientific works in GDP interest; it takes the third place in the world on the level of business development and the first place on participation of women and people older than 55 in it. In the list of 58 the most developed countries in the world we take the 17th position. As for the lining standards in Israel, it takes the second place in the world on lifetime of men – 80 years, and the fifth place in the world on lifetime of women – 84 years.”
