Ambassador: Azerbaijan has become one of Israel's most trusted partners

Azerbaijan has become one of Israel’s most trusted and reliable partners, Ambassador to Baku George Deek says in an interview with Jerusalem Post, Report informs.

Israel-Azerbaijan relations are built on four pillars, the ambassador says. He adds that Israel was one of the first countries to recognize Azerbaijan’s independence, in August 1991.

"We define this as a strategic partnership. We have done internal polling which shows that over 80% of the Azerbaijani public sees Israel as a friendly country. It’s all across the public of Azerbaijan that Israel is a close friend," says Deek.

The diplomat recalled that he was appointed ambassador to Azerbaijan in November 2019, and since then the world has witnessed historical and geopolitically significant events - the COVID-19 pandemic, the Second Karabakh War, the conflict between Russia and Ukraine, the escalation of tensions in the Middle East. "Many things have happened at the same time, and it has been a historic transition period for Azerbaijan, and specifically in ties with Israel that have become more solidified, strategic, deeper, and more visible at the same time," Deek says.

George Deek noted the important geopolitical location of Azerbaijan: "Azerbaijan is the only country in the world that has a border with both Russia and Iran,” says the ambassador. He notes that "it also borders Türkiye, a member of NATO."

He also notes that it was the first Muslim country to give women the right to vote and to become the first real democracy in the Muslim world.

According to the ambassador, Baku has navigated this complex neighborhood: "Unlike Armenia and Georgia, it did not become a satellite or beholden to Moscow. Georgia tried to assert itself in 2008 but was beaten by Moscow in a war. Armenia relied on Moscow for support but has found itself isolated."

The success of Azerbaijan is found in its leaders. Deek points to the “leadership and wisdom of President Ilham Aliyev and his father, Heydar Aliyev, tapping into natural resources, building pipelines that go westward, and that give them independence.”

Deek says, "Azerbaijan’s strategy is to have balance. Azerbaijan is close to everyone but not dependent on anyone. It balances one relationship with another. That is how the country has been coping.

George Deek says that Azerbaijan and Israel have established cooperation in a number of key sectors, such as energy, water management, food industry, agriculture, space and satellite technologies, and innovation. The ambassador stressed with satisfaction that Azerbaijan is a tolerant country where representatives of all religions and peoples can peacefully coexist.

He says that it’s clear that Jewish people in Azerbaijan are welcomed, noting there hasn’t been an incident of antisemitism. He also recalled the national hero of Azerbaijan of Jewish origin, Albert Agarunov, who died defending his homeland in the First Karabakh War.

The Israeli diplomat stressed that his country supported Azerbaijan in 2020 during the Patriotic War for the liberation of territories from Armenian occupation. In 2023, the Azerbaijani Embassy in Israel was opened. The Azerbaijani people, in turn, supported Israel after the attacks of the radical Hamas movement in October 2023: "I remember after October 7, many people brought flowers and teddy bears and left messages of solidarity [at the Israeli Embassy in Baku]. It was heartwarming, and we felt it on the people-to-people level; and the relations of our governments reflect that on the personal level. We had many visits by ministers, including from Azerbaijan."

He says that the only comments he got upon arriving in Baku more than five years ago were that people reflected on his relative youth compared to other diplomatic envoys. Coming from the Jewish state and being a Christian wasn’t a standout.

"I was 35 when I began my work here. My background has never been an issue. I am Israeli, and the rest is irrelevant. As Christians, my family and I go to church here. Azerbaijan has built new churches, and the pope came here in 2016. Also, the Jewish community says how blessed they are."

"It [Azerbaijan] has built a prosperous state. A country that is relatively wealthy. People have a good lifestyle. Azerbaijan has hosted many events, especially in sports. In June, it will host a UFC event. It also hosted the World Climate Summit COP 29, the UN event in Baku last November," Deek says.

“It’s important to see the country as a strategic asset. I always say it’s the most important country people haven’t heard of,” says Deek. He is also confident that things are moving in the right direction. He mentioned the EU’s Foreign Minister Kaja Kallas and the Iranian president’s visit to the country, as well as the planned visit of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, which was postponed in early May. Baku also expects high-level visits from Turkey and Qatar.

“Not many places can host all these actors and build these bridges. Azerbaijan is playing a positive role between Israel and Türkiye, and positions itself in a role between its allies,” says Deek.