Ambassador: Future of Azerbaijani-Israeli cooperation looks promising

The future of Azerbaijani-Israeli cooperation looks promising, with great potential for developing interaction across a range of areas, exchanging experiences, and implementing joint projects, Azerbaijan's Ambassador to Israel Mukhtar Mammadov said in an interview with Israeli i24 TV, Report informs.

The ambassador named tourism as one of the most promising areas of partnership, as an important element in strengthening ties between the peoples.

"The interest of Israeli citizens in Azerbaijan is growing rapidly. For example, many Israelis spent the recent Passover holiday in Baku and other regions of the country. Today, there is intensive air traffic between the two countries. Azerbaijani company AZAL operates 14 flights per week between Baku and Tel Aviv, and Israeli carriers also organize flights. Thanks to these visits, people get to know each other better," Mammadov noted.

The diplomat emphasized that the friendly relations between Azerbaijan and Israel have deep historical roots. One of the key factors, according to him, is the complete absence of antisemitism in Azerbaijani society.

"For centuries, an active Jewish community has lived in the country, numbering more than 16,000 people today. In Azerbaijan, a tradition of good neighborliness and coexistence with other peoples has been formed over the centuries. We have no xenophobia or ethnic hatred toward others. We call this Azerbaijani multiculturalism. Our country has historically been a crossroads of many cultures, religions, and ethnicities. All this experience has contributed to the Azerbaijani people accepting others as they are. Naturally, there is also no antisemitism in Azerbaijan, and we proudly say that it has never existed," the diplomat explained.

Mammadov also noted that Azerbaijan will never forget Israel's support during the Patriotic War for the liberation of occupied territories. "The Azerbaijani people remember this gesture. During the war, many Israeli flags could be seen throughout the country. Israel was with Azerbaijan when we needed it," the ambassador concluded.