Israeli Ambassador: Delivery of first Azeri oil load to Israel via BTC pipeline is important event
Israeli Ambassador: Delivery of first Azeri oil load to Israel via BTC pipeline is important event
Source: Trend
Author: А.Ismayilova
25.08.2006
Trend ’s exclusive interview with Artur Lenk, Israeli Ambassador to Azerbaijan
- On August 25, Israel received the first Azeri oil load via Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan pipeline..
- Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan pipeline is extending links between Azerbaijan and Israel. And the first oil delivery is an important event indeed. I think transportation of this oil to Mediterranean Sea I important as there are many countries and purchasers in there, especially in view of growth of demand for this fuel.
Our countries are good partners and we hope we can strengthen it. Taking into account that Israel is very close to Ceyhan Azeri oil is delivered to, official Baku says Israel is oen of the main exporters of Azeri oil.
– There is a group of Israeli businessmen in Baku now. Which spheres are especially interesting for your entrepreneurs here?
– Israeli businessmen come to Azerbaijan very often. Yesterday I also met with one group of businessmen. They are interested in such spheres as construction, agriculture, industry and so. They are not limited with some narrow niches, they are creative people and therefore consider the most promising prospects. Israel has a significant experience in the sphere of IT, telecommunications, infrastructure and is eager to cooperate in these spheres with Azerbaijan. I wouldn’t like to name any specific projects as they are still being developed.
This will influence the growth of goods turnover between Azerbaijan and Israel. I suggest the growth is primarily linked to the beginning of BTC pipeline operation and mutual contacts among businessmen. The number of Azeri companies willing to purchase Israeli technologies has also grown up.
– What are the plans at the official level between Israel and Azerbaijan?
– We are talking on some certain issues. For example, Azeri government is going to sign an agreement on culture. We constantly cooperate with your government in spheres of economy, foreign policy and so. Besides, a group of Israeli writes is coming to Azerbaijan in early September.
There is a big Azeri Diaspora residing in Israel. They are very fond of Azerbaijan. Alongside, a very active Jewish community is residing in Azerbaijan. Certainly, they consider themselves citizens of Azerbaijan. This, alongside cooperation among businessmen, makes Azeri-Israeli relations really outstanding.
– Can Azeri Diaspora in other countries rely on Jewish Diaspora support, for example regarding settlement of Nagorno-Karabakh problem?
– Azerbaijan has selected the way of conversations to solve this problem. OSCE, supported by Minsk Group, is seeking for agreement with Armenia. Israel and its people uphold the efforts President Ilham Aliyev makes to resolve the conflict peacefully. Wee suggest this agreement will match the interest of Azerbaijan and all the nations residing in South Caucasus region.
– Last time less and less Jews move from Azerbaijan to Israel. In your opinion, what is the reason for this?
– Israel is a historical motherland of all Jews. Jews lived in post-Soviet countries, including Azerbaijan, decided to come home but maintain relations with the country they were born in. Certainly, a part of Jews did not move anywhere and still form a part of Azerbaijan. Lat years several hundreds Jews have left Azerbaijan. But compared to previous years this number is no so big. The situation in Azerbaijan has utterly changed from the first years of independence. But even the fact of Jews moving to Israel should not be the matter of concern. Wherever they are, they represent Azerbaijan.
Note: Above are excerpts from the article. The full article appears here. Clarifications and comments by me are contained in {}. Deletions are marked by [...]. The bold emphasis is mine.
Source: Trend
Author: А.Ismayilova
25.08.2006
Trend ’s exclusive interview with Artur Lenk, Israeli Ambassador to Azerbaijan
- On August 25, Israel received the first Azeri oil load via Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan pipeline..
- Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan pipeline is extending links between Azerbaijan and Israel. And the first oil delivery is an important event indeed. I think transportation of this oil to Mediterranean Sea I important as there are many countries and purchasers in there, especially in view of growth of demand for this fuel.
Our countries are good partners and we hope we can strengthen it. Taking into account that Israel is very close to Ceyhan Azeri oil is delivered to, official Baku says Israel is oen of the main exporters of Azeri oil.
– There is a group of Israeli businessmen in Baku now. Which spheres are especially interesting for your entrepreneurs here?
– Israeli businessmen come to Azerbaijan very often. Yesterday I also met with one group of businessmen. They are interested in such spheres as construction, agriculture, industry and so. They are not limited with some narrow niches, they are creative people and therefore consider the most promising prospects. Israel has a significant experience in the sphere of IT, telecommunications, infrastructure and is eager to cooperate in these spheres with Azerbaijan. I wouldn’t like to name any specific projects as they are still being developed.
This will influence the growth of goods turnover between Azerbaijan and Israel. I suggest the growth is primarily linked to the beginning of BTC pipeline operation and mutual contacts among businessmen. The number of Azeri companies willing to purchase Israeli technologies has also grown up.
– What are the plans at the official level between Israel and Azerbaijan?
– We are talking on some certain issues. For example, Azeri government is going to sign an agreement on culture. We constantly cooperate with your government in spheres of economy, foreign policy and so. Besides, a group of Israeli writes is coming to Azerbaijan in early September.
There is a big Azeri Diaspora residing in Israel. They are very fond of Azerbaijan. Alongside, a very active Jewish community is residing in Azerbaijan. Certainly, they consider themselves citizens of Azerbaijan. This, alongside cooperation among businessmen, makes Azeri-Israeli relations really outstanding.
– Can Azeri Diaspora in other countries rely on Jewish Diaspora support, for example regarding settlement of Nagorno-Karabakh problem?
– Azerbaijan has selected the way of conversations to solve this problem. OSCE, supported by Minsk Group, is seeking for agreement with Armenia. Israel and its people uphold the efforts President Ilham Aliyev makes to resolve the conflict peacefully. Wee suggest this agreement will match the interest of Azerbaijan and all the nations residing in South Caucasus region.
– Last time less and less Jews move from Azerbaijan to Israel. In your opinion, what is the reason for this?
– Israel is a historical motherland of all Jews. Jews lived in post-Soviet countries, including Azerbaijan, decided to come home but maintain relations with the country they were born in. Certainly, a part of Jews did not move anywhere and still form a part of Azerbaijan. Lat years several hundreds Jews have left Azerbaijan. But compared to previous years this number is no so big. The situation in Azerbaijan has utterly changed from the first years of independence. But even the fact of Jews moving to Israel should not be the matter of concern. Wherever they are, they represent Azerbaijan.
Note: Above are excerpts from the article. The full article appears here. Clarifications and comments by me are contained in {}. Deletions are marked by [...]. The bold emphasis is mine.
posted by Vahe Balabanian at 8:01 PM
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