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Israeli minister of National Infrastructure: â€œWe accept the establishment of business relations with Azerbaijan as a privilegeâ€

11 November 2011 09:43 (UTC +04:00)

Baku. Habil SuleymanzadÉ™ - APA. Israeli Minister of National Infrastructure Uzi Landauâ€™s interview to APA

- Mr. Landau, youâ€™re coming to Baku a little bit in sensitive time for Israeli-Azerbaijani relations. You held a series of talks here. How do you find these negotiations and thatâ€™s your impression?

- Azerbaijani-Israel relations are more reliable and durable than before. Our contacts in Baku were good and I see development perspectives of our links in al spheres. My ministry engages in energy and natural resources issues. These issues include oil, natural gas and water reserves. One of the main purposes of my visit to Azerbaijan is to attract Azerbaijani companies and specialists in energy sphere to Israel. We know that, you have practice and knowledge in oil-gas extraction. I met with Azerbaijani President, Minister of Industry and Energy, as well other officials and Iâ€™m satisfied with these contacts. We discussed not only commercial and economic issues, but security issues too. We have historical links. Thatâ€™s why I believe the development of our links in the future.

- Currently Azerbaijan accounts for considerable share of Israelâ€™s oil import. How do you see a bilateral cooperation in this area?

- Israel purchases a major part of imported oil from Azerbaijan and weâ€™re the second state in the world for volume of purchased Azerbaijani oil, after Italy. I believe that we can be the first. Our relations have great potential from the standpoint of bilateral economic-trade relations. We accept the establishment of business relations with Azerbaijan as a privilege.

- Karabakh conflict has been remaining a top problem for Azerbaijan for many years. Do you see any way of resolving of the conflict?

- Firstly note that, Israel support Azerbaijanâ€™s territorial integrity. To my mind, this conflict must be solved via direct contacts and talks. Usually, the interference of foreign powers does not influence the international conflicts. So we prefer the direct contacts in Near East conflict, too. I think direct contacts and talks based on peace can be useful. Israel sees the solution of conflict within Azerbaijanâ€™s territorial integrity.

- Recently International Atomic Agency revealed that Iran is developing nuclear weapon. At the same time president of Ä°srael Shimon Peres didnâ€™t rule out a military solution of the Iranian problem. What do you think about the latest developments?

- International Atomic Agencyâ€™s latest report in Vienna was not new for us. Iranian regimeâ€™s purpose is to have nuclear weapon and this country intends to develop its political ambitions via nuclear program. Iran uses quite nuclear program as an umbrella to produce nuclear weapon. In fact, it means that Iran declares war against the world. Our position is clear. Israel, US and EU considers that Iran must stop its nuclear activity. Iran does not pay attention to these challenges. In such conditions, Iran threatens regional countries. I think Azerbaijani nation does not need wide explanation about the essence of Iran regime.

- Following a recent tension between Turkey and Israel some media outlets reported that a full transportation of Azeri oil to Israel through Turkish soil might face some obstacles. Are you facing currently any obstacles?

- We purchase the produced oil in Azerbaijan from the private companies. A great international consortium engages in oil extraction and transportation. I have to say that, we are satisfied with the reaction of Azerbaijan about the rumors on the damaging of our bilateral economic links. Let me remind that, we are a small country locating in non-stable Middle East Region. But we protect our honor. We do our best to prevent the interference of other countries to our state. Azerbaijani side noted that, our economic-trade links were unbreakable and weâ€™re inspired by this. We consider influence of any foreign factor on our relations as unacceptable. We try to develop and protect the links in energy sphere. Thatâ€™s why I donâ€™t believe that, foreign factors and countries can weaken our links.

- Azerbaijan and Israel are close partners. At same time Azerbaijan and Turkey are close allies. Is reconciliation between Turkey and Israel possible now?

- This question must not be addressed to us. We have many efforts to protect our relations. As it known, Israel accepted the reference of UN Commission on studying of incident in Mediterranean Sea. Turkey rejected this document. Commission recognized Israelâ€™s step as a movement according to international law. Weâ€™ve tried to protect our links. We did not deny our assistance during the earthquake in Turkey. Now, we expect the opposite side to behave with a sense of responsibility.