30 July 2021; MEMO: Azerbaijan opened its trade and tourism office in Tel Aviv yesterday, a move considered as a first step towards opening an embassy, announced the Israeli Ministry of Tourism.
The ceremony, attended by Minister of Economy of Azerbaijan Mikayil Jabbarov, comes 30 years after diplomatic relations were established between the two countries.
According to the Israeli Tourism Minister Yoel Razvozov: "[the] launch of Azerbaijan's official Trade and Tourism Representation in Tel Aviv represents another historic event in the warm relations between the countries."
"Relations between Israel and Azerbaijan are of a strategic nature and are based on trust and mutual respect."
"I would like to congratulate President Ilham Aliyev on this important decision that will further strengthen the partnership between the two countries," Razvozov continued. "It will definitely serve as the address for Israeli entrepreneurs in areas such as energy, medicine, water treatment, agriculture and investment."
During the ceremony, Azerbaijan's Jabbarov encouraged Israeli businesses to take advantage of the beneficial business atmosphere in Azerbaijan created to facilitate mutual investments and transactions.
According to the Times of Israel, the trade turnover was nearly $200 million last year excluding oil supplies. Israeli companies are represented in various sectors in Azerbaijan, including road construction, telecommunication and medicine.
Moreover, Israeli Foreign Minister Ashkenazi said Azerbaijan's decision to open a tourism promotion and a trade office in Israel is a step towards adding Azerbaijan to the Abraham Accords normalisation agreement that already includes the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Sudan and Morocco.
He said, "Azerbaijan is an ally, friend, and largest supplier of Israel's energy resources. We will continue to work on the development of strategic ties with Azerbaijan and expand them in new areas."
