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Israeli former defense minister: â€œI donâ€™t think that current tensions between Turkey and Israel will affect the Israel-Azerbaijan relationsâ€ - EXCLUSIVE

14 September 2011 15:33 (UTC +04:00)

In my opinion, Azerbaijan-Israel relations are so firm and deep that the outside factors can not affect itâ€, member of the Israeli Knesset, countryâ€™s former defense minister Binyamin Ben Eliezer told APA.

Touching on tensions between Israel and Turkey, the Israeli politician said that Azerbaijan-Israel relations can not be a reflection of relations with Turkey: â€œAnkaraâ€™s current policy has no relation to Azerbaijan, because Azerbaijan has its own strategic course. Joint economic, political and regional interests unite Azerbaijan and Israel. In this context, Azerbaijan, certainly, follows its interests and moves basing on these interests. Azerbaijan-Israel relations are so reliable that it will not be affected by the tensions with Turkey, though Baku has close relations with Ankara. Iran-Azerbaijan relations can be an example. Azerbaijanâ€™s neighborhood relations with Iran donâ€™t prevent development of Azerbaijanâ€™s relations with Israel. Azerbaijan has become a strong state during the last decades. Azerbaijan and Israel has common interests in many spheres and we respect Azerbaijani state and its leadership, because the country leader gives priority to Azerbaijanâ€™s interests and outside influence is impossible hereâ€.

Touching on probability of ending tensions between Turkey and Israel, Ben Eliezer underlined that there is such probability because it is within the interests of both countries: â€œAt present moment the question is not whether Turkey and Israel are right or not. The main question is how to eliminate these tensions. Turkey-Israel relations have a strategic significance for both peoples and entire region. Once Israel had good relations with current Turkish leadership, but the situation has changed after â€œMarmara Flotillaâ€ incident. We could come to an understanding, but unfortunately, Erdogan took different stand and used a radical rhetoric. I donâ€™t know, may be, he wants to be a leader of Arab-Islamic world. It is not too late and Israel is ready to make serious efforts to solve the problemâ€.