Pinhas Avivi

What is main goal of your visit to Azerbaijan and whom did you meet with?

Israeli-Azerbaijani relations have strategic character. Usually such visits are realized once a year. The goal of this visit is to discuss previous work and prospects of cooperation, as well as to determine further forms of relations in 2010 and work to be done. I had many meetings and I met with the deputy foreign minister.

We discussed common global political situation and regional developments. I got detailed information about the Nagorno Karabakh conflict and at the same time I informed about the Middle East peace process and Israel’s relations with Syria and Lebanon, as well as peace process developments. We also discussed the economic relationship and both agreed that indeed we have good results and statistics in the import-export operations. Our energy cooperation was also focused during the meeting. About 4 billion dollars of trade turnover between two small countries is a plenty large enough amount. We expressed satisfaction with that.

Did you discuss preparation for the Israeli foreign minister Avigdor Lieberman’s expected visit to Azerbaijan next year?

Yes, we did. The issue is on agenda, but it was not scheduled yet. Usually we are informing each other during such visits. We are informing each other mostly about the Middle East peace process and Nagorno Karabakh conflict. Some agreements may be signed within the visit. There are two programs now and we discussed both of them and compared them with each other.

Do Azerbaijan and Israel expect to sign an agreement on visa-free regime during the Lieberman’s visit?

This issue was not discussed. Israel is interested in visa-free regime, especially for the diplomats. I don’t know about the intentions of Azerbaijani government. If there is a good intention, we will discuss it.

Did the Israeli President Shimon Peres’ visit to Azerbaijan last summer effect on the development of bilateral relations?

Shimon Peres had very interesting visit and many Israeli businessmen accompanied him on the visit to Azerbaijan. Those businessmen made different visits to Azerbaijan. Four documents were signed between the governments and different companies during the president’s visit. It brought good results, particularly in the field of economy and business. As I know, Israeli and Azerbaijani companies established joint ventures in some spheres and of course, this is a successful result. I also was in that delegation. We visited Guba region and discussed the issue of joint venture with the local companies there.

What is development in the energy field and are there expectations for gas cooperation?

We didn’t sign a gas agreement yet, but we are in a serious phase now and researching the cooperation opportunities. Large gas resources were discovered in Israel recently and it can meet the country’s needs in the next 20 years, but at the same time we are interested in gas import as well. We are also interested in the development of cooperation in the fields of high tech, agriculture, healthcare and education.

Did you meet with the Jewish community of Azerbaijan?

I didn’t schedule a visit with the Jewish community this time, but I would like to express the Israeli government’s satisfaction with that the government of Azerbaijan cares about and supports the local communities, including the Jewish community. All over the world know that Azerbaijan was always a tolerant country.

Arkia Israel Airlines expressed its intention to organize flights to Baku. Is there anything new in this field?

We also discussed this issue and it is on a serious stage now. The flight from Israel takes approximately two hours and a half, but it took me eight hours this time, as we flew through Turkey. We are interested in the solution of this issue. ARKIA wants to operate Tel Aviv – Baku flights at least three or four times a week. We think if there are direct flights, the number of Israeli tourists will extremely increase. Visa of the people coming from Israel to Azerbaijan was also discussed. They get visa in the airport, it takes much time and impedes the development of tourism. We consider that it should be made easier.

What will the normalization of Turkey-Armenia relations give to the region?

We hope Armenia-Turkey rapprochement will also have positive results for the settlement of Nagorno Karabakh conflict. I have seen how Turkish people love and support Azerbaijanis. When I was ambassador to Turkey I saw Turkish leaders participate in Azerbaijan’s national holidays.

Issue on the so-called Armenian genocide has been raised in the Knesset several times. Can Israel recognize the so-called genocide one day?

We approach this issue carefully. There were dramatic events in the history. Our position is that – Turkey has made this proposal – both sides should investigate the happenings and reach an agreement after that. We believe that the parties must hold a dialogue to clarify and investigate the matter and determine what really happened. It depends on them. Israelis underwent genocide as a result of the Nazi policy, therefore approach such issues carefully. We represent the government, the members of the Knesset are politicians. We can not interfere in their activity. The legislation does not allow the executive body to interfere in the activity of the legislative body. The parliamentarians are free to raise any issue.

Has the incident between Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Shimon Peres in Davos affected the relations between the two countries?

Israel-Turkey relations were established basing on more serious interests. I do not think that any tiny incident may seriously damage these relations. Of course, the incident in Davos should not be approached positively, but such events can not seriously damage Israel-Turkey relations. Shimon Perez and Abdullah Gul had a very sincere and positive meeting in Copenhagen last week. Israeli Minister of Trade was in Turkey at that time.

The relations have not been damaged. We realize that Turkey is trying to be a serious player in the region and that in order to be a serious force good relations should be established with the neighbors. Being on friendly terms with some of the neighbors and on bad terms with others look like a table that should have four legs, without one it can not stand. Stability also depends on these four legs. Therefore, Turkey should establish good relations with everybody.

APA