Hikmet Hajiyev: We have wonderful diplomatic ties with Israel

"In Azerbaijan, different cultures and religions have lived together for many years. We are proud to see Jews living in Azerbaijan and the Jews across the globe help us," Assistant to President of Azerbaijan Hikmet Hajiyev, who also serves as the head of the Foreign Policy Affairs Department of Azerbaijan’s Presidential Administration, said in his interview with Israel HaYom, Report informs.

"When Israelis come to Azerbaijan they see the message of peace and there are Israeli flags all over the country. This came from the heart of the people in Azerbaijan and expresses the appreciation for the value of the relationship between the countries. We have excellent understandings and wonderful diplomatic ties. Israel was among the first to recognize Azerbaijan when we declared independence. Sometimes a diplomatic mission can exist but relations aren't as good as the one [Israel and Azerbaijan] have," he noted.

One of the events that deeply impacted the Azeri people, beyond just the government in Baku, was the delegation of Israeli eye doctors who went to Azerbaijan to treat the casualties of the First Nagorno-Karabakh War.

"They came to Azerbaijan, even though they were obviously busy back home, and performed 10-15 surgeries per day. This is the reverence the Jewish people have for life and this concern is part of the Jewish DNA. It relates to the Jewish desire to help. We intend to implement other similar initiatives and we use Israel's experience to help our wounded," Hikmet Hajiyev said.