Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Israel to Azerbaijan Ronen Krausz, visited the Ganja Memorial Complex as part of his trip to Ganja. In an interview with APA at the memorial complex, the ambassador spoke about his impressions of the visit, the prospects for Azerbaijan-Israel relations, the importance of preserving historical memory, and the future directions of cooperation between the two countries.
– Mr. Ambassador, what impressions did your visit to Ganja and the Ganja Memorial Complex leave on you?
– First of all, I am very pleased to be back in Ganja. This is my third visit to the city. My previous visits took place around 12–13 years ago, and it is a great pleasure to be here again. Visiting this memorial complex was a deeply moving and emotional experience for me, as it serves as an important place for preserving the memory of those who lost their lives and those who were injured during the attacks on Ganja.
As someone from Israel, as everyone knows, unfortunately we have also suffered from such horrific events. This shared sense of pain between Azerbaijan and Israel is a profound bond that both countries understand deeply and attach great importance to. We will always honor the memory of those who lost their lives.
It was a great honor for me to visit this memorial complex. I believe it is of utmost importance that Azerbaijan invests in preserving the memory of those who lost their lives and in ensuring that their stories are passed on to future generations who did not experience the war and the conflict.
Preserving historical memory in people's minds and lives is something that deserves the highest value. I feel truly privileged, deeply honored, and grateful to have had the opportunity to visit this place and witness Azerbaijan's efforts to preserve this history and convey it to the international community.
– What affected you the most during your visit to the Ganja Memorial Complex?
– I think what affected me the most was seeing the ruins of the destroyed buildings, the teddy bears placed on them, and learning that children were injured here, including that six children lost their lives during the attacks. As a father, this is one of the most heartbreaking aspects for me.
We all look to the future with the hope of building a better life for our children and our families. Unfortunately, witnessing these scenes had a profound and deeply personal emotional impact on me.
– How do you assess the existing cooperation between Azerbaijan and Israel, and how do you see the future of relations between the two countries?
– As has been noted, the relations between our countries are exceptionally friendly. Both countries understand each other very well and share a common vision when it comes to realizing the full potential of these ties.
Cooperation between our countries spans a wide range of areas, including energy and defense, as well as cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, tourism, agriculture, water resource management, and many other fields. I believe we will continue to further strengthen and expand these relations in the years ahead.
One particularly important aspect that deserves special mention is the Jewish community living in Azerbaijan. For centuries, this community has lived here in peace and mutual respect, contributing to the development of relations between our two countries. At the same time, the Azerbaijani diaspora in Israel also plays an important role in strengthening these ties.
These two factors together create a strong bridge between our countries, bringing Azerbaijan and Israel even closer together.
– During your visit to Ganja, what new opportunities do you see for expanding cooperation?
– First of all, considering that Ganja is Azerbaijan's second-largest city, visiting it and becoming better acquainted with its history and rich cultural heritage—particularly the legacy of the great poet Nizami Ganjavi, as well as that of other prominent figures—is of great importance.
At the same time, it is essential to explore new opportunities for expanding business and economic cooperation between Israel and Azerbaijan. I also hope that, as a result of this visit, our cooperation in the academic sphere will continue to grow.
In particular, I believe that the existing cooperation between the Azerbaijan State Agricultural University in Ganja and various Israeli institutions will be further strengthened. I also hope that this visit will pave the way for new initiatives and make a meaningful contribution to further deepening and enriching the relations between our two countries.
Follow us on Telegram
t.me/apanewsaz
Follow us on Instagram
Follow us on TikTok
Follow us on Facebook
Follow us on X
