Armenia must return occupied lands to Azerbaijan: Israeli MP

Day.Az: What is the aim of your visit to Baku?

Robert Ilatov: We arrived in Baku at the invitation of Jewish organizations. I met with Chairman of the State Committee for Diaspora Nazim Ibrahimov. I also met with First Vice-Speaker of the Milli Mejlis [parliament] and with my parallel here Evda Abramov, who leads Azerbaijan-Israel parliamentary friendship association. We also plan to meet with Jewish communities.

Q: President Peres' visit to Azerbaijan is considered to be historical and was highly appreciated by both Azerbaijani and Israeli media. Do you think that this visit marked a new epoch in relations between the two countries?

A: Certainly. The visit by Shimon Peres gave a serious impetus to our relationship. We were delighted and surprised by the response that followed the position of Iran about the visit of the Israeli president to Azerbaijan. We were delighted at the response of an independent state.

Q: In what areas Azerbaijan and Israel can establish fruitful and long-term cooperation?

A: I think development of economic and strategic relations and protection of the interests of each state where it is possible are very important. Undoubtedly, there are places where we can have more influence and Azerbaijan have the similar places. I think we should go along the working track. I hope that those business processes that we are now beginning will yield fruit in political and economic spheres in near future. I am an advocate of developing economic relations, because they, in turn, reinforce the policy. It is always easier to say when there are interests.

Q: As member of the Knesset, do you think that the question of the so-called “Armenian genocide” will be discussed in the parliament in near future?

A: You know, in our parliament any member can raise any topic for discussion. But the parliament is very far from that at the moment. Israel has removed this issue from agenda fro decades. Today I do not see any reason that the Israeli parliament will accept the so-called genocide of the Armenian people for discussions.

The Knesset can discuss any topic including any existing conflicts. But this does not mean that the discussion will lead to the fact that we recognize what they consider to be fact. I do not think that this is a problem that Azerbaijan can be concerned with.

Q: How would you assess the current state of negotiations on the Nagorno-Karabakh problem, given the recent meeting of the Presidents of Armenia and Azerbaijan as well as the president of Russian?

A: The issue of Nagorno-Karabakh, of course, is quite complex. Our official position and my personal position is that the territorial integrity of Azerbaijan must be restored and the lands occupied by Armenia should be returned to Azerbaijan. The problem, in principle, should be resolved peacefully. We oppose any military action from the both sides.

Russia and the United States can assist with this process. As for us, we do not interfere in this process because it does not relate to us at all and we do not know how we can help. Therefore, we are not trying to impose our position and do not want to do it because there are countries that have more interest and more influence and Israel is very far from these processes. If you need any help or assistance, we are always ready to provide it for the settlement of the conflict.

/Day.Az/