An official reception was given at the Heydar Aliyev Centre in Baku on 30 May in honour of the Independence Day of the State of Israel.

Amongst the participants were President of Israel Isaac Herzog and First Lady Michal Herzog, on an official visit to Azerbaijan currently, as well as Chair of the Milli Majlis Sahiba Gafarova, Aide to the President of Azerbaijan Anar Alakbarov, state and governmental functionaries, clerics, diplomats accredited in our country and prominent public figures.

The national anthems of the two states were sounded first.

Ambassador of Israel to Azerbaijan George Deek said that the combined efforts of the Israeli and Azerbaijani leaders had made certain that friendship flourished between our countries and that their two-way strategic partnership was intensified continually.

Isaac Herzog who spoke next highlighted the coincidence of the 75^th Independence Day of Israel and the 30^th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries. There is but a short calendar span between the Independence Days of our countries too. The close bilateral connexions rest on not only common interests but also common values, according to President Herzog.

Israel and Azerbaijan alike are negotiating their respective paths of steady progress whilst the ties between our nations have the ancient history of their own. For Jews, Azerbaijan is a safe place where they have developed and preserved their culture. Jews have found progress not only within their community here, but also in the rich political and cultural environment of Azerbaijan, and this is by no means a small thing to consider. Interfaith co-operation and inter-ethnic tolerance as well as mutual respect are the values that excel in both countries.

In turn, Chair of the Milli Majlis Sahiba Gafarova passed on the cordial congratulation and best wishes of President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev on the occasion of the Independence Day of the State Israel.

It is remarkable that the celebration of the National Holiday of Israel would be hosted by a centre named after the Great Leader because the basis of the relations between Azerbaijan and Israel was laid by none other but National Leader Heydar Aliyev/ And these relations are continued successfully by President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev today, Sahiba Gafarova was saying.

Azerbaijan and Israel are united by bonds of true friendship resting on mutual respect and mutual trust. Last year there was the thirtieth anniversary of our diplomatic relations, and the ties between our peoples do indeed have deeper historical roots. Jews and Azerbaijanis have lived together for centuries in peace, tranquillity and a spirit of mutual understanding and respect in Azerbaijan. Our Jewish community is embraced with national-level attention and care – exemplified only too vividly by the construction of synagogues and educational centres with state support, Mrs Gafarova continued. The Jewish community is actively involved in the social and political life of the country, enriching our society even further through its endeavours. Azerbaijan is home to them, which is confirmed once more by the fact that members of the Jewish community fought for their Homeland and sacrificed their lives for it. On the other hand, our compatriots of Jewish descent now living in Israel maintain close ties with Azerbaijan, and we can sense their support without fail. We see them rejoicing in all the successes of Azerbaijan as those of their own. So, both the Jewish community of Azerbaijan and the Jewish-Azerbaijani community of Israel serve as a living bridge between our countries and peoples, and contribute lavishly to the development of the two-way relationship.

Madam Speaker said also that the active political dialogue, numerous reciprocal visits and fruitful work of the Joint Inter-governmental Commission had strengthened our multi-faceted co-operation that encompasses the economic, energy, knowledge-based, educational, tourism, military engineering and other fields. The constant enrichment of the joint agenda with new content is one of the chief distinguishing features of the Azerbaijani-Israeli relations. Israeli companies are engaged in the large-scale restoration started in Garabagh and East Zangazur following our lands’ delivery from occupation at the 44 days’ Patriotic War.

The start of Azerbaijani trade and tourist missions in Israel in 2021 serves to increase our economic interaction and trade as well as grassroots contacts, whilst the opening of the Embassy of the Republic of Azerbaijan in Israel in March this year brings our relations to a qualitatively new level, concluded Speaker of the Milli Majlis Sahiba Gafarova.

The Press and Public Relations Department
The Milli Majlis