Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the State of Israel George Deek

Question: The news that Azerbaijan has decided to open embassy in Israel caused many positive emotions in your country.  The current President of Israel, Yitzhak Herzog, even called his Azerbaijani counterpart Ilham Aliyev.  What new will this decision bring to the development of bilateral relations?

Answer: The decision to open an embassy of Azerbaijan in Israel is a historic one. First, for our bilateral relations, because it completes the normalization of the relations between two friendly and strategic partners. Second, it is a message to the region and the world that both countries wish to see this partnership flourish and grow. Third, a message of peace: it shows that the Jewish state and a Muslim majority country can have deep positive relations that empower coexistence and tolerance in the region 

In addition, the biggest beneficiary from this decision will be Azerbaijan. For the first time Azerbaijan will have an official voice in Israel that will talk to the people, to the businesses, to the government and to the society, and that would increase the level of interaction. The results will be evident in tourism, trade, people-to-people cooperation and more.

Question: I would like to know your opinion on the tension in the Azerbaijani-Iranian relations and the latest statement of the adviser to the Supreme Leader of Iran, Ali Akbar Velayati about Azerbaijan?

Answer: Iran is a not an Israeli or Azerbaijani problem, it is a global problem, and it therefore requires a global response. The world cannot afford a nuclear Iran that will lead an axis of terror from the South Caucasus to the Middle East and to Europe. While they are oppressing and killing their own people who are simply asking for human rights and freedom, they continue to spread terror throughout the world, including just lately in Georgia, when they tried to assassinate an Israeli businessman, and failed. We also saw this in June when they tried to kill innocent Israeli tourists in Turkey for vacation. Only thanks to the good cooperation between Israeli and Turkish security apparatus, we foiled their efforts. 

Therefore, we must stand together against the regime of hate, terror and violence that is called the Islamic Republic of Iran. We must stand with the people in Iran in their fight for dignity.

Question:  What can you tell about the plans of Israeli companies to participate in the restoration work in the liberated territories of Azerbaijan?

Answer: We congratulate once again Azerbaijan for restoring its territorial integrity, and we present our readiness to cooperate in any field they our assistance would be deemed needed by the Azerbaijani authorities. We have already begun looking into projects in Karabakh in the fields of agriculture, smart cities, demining, and more. 

Question:  In what other areas, in your opinion, is active cooperation between Azerbaijan and Israel relevant?

Answer: The relations between our countries have solid foundations: the long history of friendship between the Jewish people and the Azerbaijani people, the shared values of religious tolerance, and strong bilateral relations that we have built in the last 30 years. Now we are focused on strengthening our strategic partnership. The means energy and security, but also a partnership between the people. The relations between the peoples, not just government and diplomats, is a strategic asset we have together. Tourism is growing, we look into bolstering our work in cybersecurity, education, water, agriculture, health, green energy and technology and innovation. There is huge potential, and we are working on it. 

Question: This November marked 3 years since your appointment as Ambassador to Azerbaijan.  How have your ideas about Azerbaijan changed over this period?

Answer: Indeed, I arrived three years ago. If you would have told me back then that I'll be visiting Shusha during my time in Baku I'd think you are dreaming, but now it's a reality. If last year you would tell me that Baku will be a main partner in providing Europe with gas against a massive shortage, I'd say you're not serious. And if you would've told me this year that we will celebrate an Azerbaijani embassy in Israel before the end of 2022, I'd ask who gave you the medications. But all of these happened and are still happening. This is a huge transition for Azerbaijan, and I'm privileged to have been here when it happened. I will always feel at home in this country that has welcomed my family and me so warmly. 

Question: What do you think should be done for Azerbaijan-Israeli relations in order to further improve their cultivation?

Answer: We need to keep working hard and remember that opening the Embassy in Israel is not the end, nor the peak. It is simply another block in the way to create an even stronger and closer relationship between our nations.

Question: In your opinion, what direction should Azerbaijanchr("39")s Israeli relations develop and what do you want for this as an ambassador?

Answer: I believe that we need to focus in the next years on the people. We should see how to expose Israeli culture to Azerbaijanis, Israelis innovation and technology, and so on. We should remember that while the relations between our governments are strong, we also need to have such strong relations also between our peoples, that they will know each other better. 

Question: How do you assess the activities of the Azerbaijani Diaspora in Israel?

Answer: The Azerbaijani diaspora in Israel, which consists of about 70,000 people living in Israel, is a human bridge between our nations. While Azerbaijan doesn't yet have an official representation in Israel, the Azerbaijani diaspora served as unofficial representatives, with a big heart for both Israel and Azerbaijan. Many people have contributed to that, but namely I wish to remember Mr. Arye Gut who passed away this year. He was a real force of good for Azerbaijan in Israel. 

Question:  How does your work with the state structures in Azerbaijan established?

Answer: Let me tell you a secret: It is easy for me to work with my friends at the Azerbaijani government and state structures, for the simple reason that the relations that were built by previous ambassadors and leaders from both sides were very healthy and strong. We understand each other very well, and we talk openly as friends should. I am grateful for the kind attitude I was given everywhere in the establishments, and I am glad we could truly move forward with some excellent progress, for example with the intergovernmental joint commission co-chaired my minister Jabbarov, as well as with other ministers and officials. The decision to open an embassy in Israel is a testament to the exceptional relations we have.