News.Az interviews Rafael Harpaz, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Israel to Azerbaijan.
What important events was the past year remarkable for in the Azerbaijani-Israeli relations, and what are the priorities of cooperation between the two countries this year?
Past year we saw the continuation of good relations between Azerbaijan and Israel. The fact that these relations are good enabled holding discussions in all spheres covering our bilateral relations. We observe this in economy, energy and tourism. Last year, several Israeli officials, including Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman and energy and agriculture ministers, visited Azerbaijan.
Also, Azerbaijani Economic Development Minister Shahin Mustafayev paid a visit to Israel, and other visits were held within economic conferences. A match between our national football team and Azerbaijani national football team was held. At Eurovision Song Contest, a big Israeli delegation came to Baku. The list can go on.
In 2013, as in previous year, our relations will continue at high spirit. This year our cooperation will mainly have for priorities. They include information technologies, water technologies, agriculture and medical technologies.
A rather important element is energy. Israel has gained a large amount of natural gas resources. But we do not have big experience in this sphere, including drilling and tax issues. Israel has newly formed a Fund just like your State Oil Fund. So, we would like to learn Azerbaijan's experience in this field.
What important events was the past year remarkable for in the Azerbaijani-Israeli relations, and what are the priorities of cooperation between the two countries this year?
Past year we saw the continuation of good relations between Azerbaijan and Israel. The fact that these relations are good enabled holding discussions in all spheres covering our bilateral relations. We observe this in economy, energy and tourism. Last year, several Israeli officials, including Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman and energy and agriculture ministers, visited Azerbaijan.
Also, Azerbaijani Economic Development Minister Shahin Mustafayev paid a visit to Israel, and other visits were held within economic conferences. A match between our national football team and Azerbaijani national football team was held. At Eurovision Song Contest, a big Israeli delegation came to Baku. The list can go on.
In 2013, as in previous year, our relations will continue at high spirit. This year our cooperation will mainly have for priorities. They include information technologies, water technologies, agriculture and medical technologies.
A rather important element is energy. Israel has gained a large amount of natural gas resources. But we do not have big experience in this sphere, including drilling and tax issues. Israel has newly formed a Fund just like your State Oil Fund. So, we would like to learn Azerbaijan's experience in this field.
