Azerbaijan, Baku, 15 April / Trend A.Akhundov /
It is time to open an Azerbaijani embassy in Israel, the deputy of the Milli Majlis (Parliament) of Azerbaijan Rasim Musabeyov said during a meeting with representatives of the Israeli media on Monday in Baku.
"It is high time to remove obstacles towards the opening of the embassy. There is a certain approach of the Muslim countries whose support we need to recognise the territorial integrity of Azerbaijan within international organisations. However, this issue is on the agenda and I believe it will find a solution. It would be right to open a trade mission or consulate in the first phase, then the embassy. Israel is home to about 100,000 people from Azerbaijan. Opening the embassy will facilitate their arrival in our country," Musabeyov said.
However, according to him, the absence of an embassy does not interfere with the development of bilateral relations. According to the MP, there are many opportunities for such developments.
"Azerbaijan considers Israel its strategic partner. The two countries cooperate closely in many areas, particularly in the defence industry. Azerbaijan covers 40 per cent of Israel's demand for oil. Moreover, Israel has discovered large reserves of gas, while Azerbaijan has extensive experience in the development of oil and gas fields and cooperation is also possible in this regard. Moreover, a promising area of mutual work is tourism," Musabeyov said.
According to the MP Fuad Muradov, Azerbaijani-Israeli relations are at a high level and will undoubtedly continue to develop.
"The majority of the population of Azerbaijan are Muslims, but it does not prevent the development of relations with Israel. Azerbaijan is a secular country where religion is separated from the state. The visit of Israeli journalists is very important and will contribute to the development of relations between the two countries," Muradov said.
According to the representative of the Azerbaijan-Israel Friendship and Cultural Relations Society (AzIz) Lev Spivak, the Hebrew-speaking group of journalists who arrived in Baku have received tremendous impressions of the city and in particular, from the parliament building.
"This is the first official visit of Israeli journalists in Azerbaijan. Hopefully, such visits will continue in the future. Journalists will also visit the regions of Azerbaijan," Spivak said.
