Joseph Shagal: None of Israeli senior officials wanted to meet Armenian PM

What is your assessment of the current state of bilateral ties between Israel and Azerbaijan?

In this sense, Israeli FM Avigdor Lieberman’s visit to Azerbaijan was very significant. Israeli President Shimon Peres made a trip to Azerbaijan in late 2009 and FM in early 2010. Thus, we can see improvement in relations between the two countries. I think that our relations are very good.

After Lieberman’s visit, we can say the relations are constructive. The sides have achieved a number of principle agreements which will be developed.

During his Azerbaijan visit, Israeli Foreign Minister noted a need to force the process of lifting visa regime for diplomatic persons. In your opinion, how far has this process advanced?

I believe that this process is quite constructive. Both sides have come to agreement that this is worth doing. This is a small, but very important step. This is the first step to introduce visa-free regime. Of course, this will not happen in one day. I mean abolition of visas for Israeli and Azerbaijani citizens. This process is on the right track at the moment. I think a decision on this matter would be taken by the end of this year.  
    
The Armenian media reports suggest Armenia is very jealous of Azerbaijan-Israel rapprochement. In your opinion, what is the reason for this jealousy?

There are two reasons – Azerbaijan-Israel rapprochement which boosts positions of both countries. Naturally, Armenia, being in confrontation with Azerbaijan, cannot welcome it. Armenian Prime Minister Tigran Sargsyan’s visit to Israel was canceled recently due to illness of the Prime Minister. This is the official version. In fact, I think that the visit was canceled for another reason. The visit was canceled as none of the senior political leaders in Israel expressed desire to meet him. So, it made no sense to pay the visit.

Actually, Israel favors normal, friendly relations with all countries that are positive towards Israel. Unfortunately, we have seen nothing positive towards Israel from Armenia so far.

Moreover, given that Israel is building relations with Azerbaijan while Iran supports Armenia, Israel cannot but worry about it. Iran supports Armenia promoting position of the latter in the Armenian-Azerbaijani conflict. All these factors suggest that the Armenian side will never be satisfied with strengthening of relations between Azerbaijan and Israel. Armenia has failed to drive a wedge between our countries and will fail to do so.

Kazakhstan has reiterated on many occasions that it is ready to assist in resolving the Karabakh conflict. In your views, what assistance can Kazakhstan provide?

Very serious players have worked to solve the Karabakh conflict. That the conflict remains unresolved thus far indicates that all attempts to come to some agreement have failed. In my view, it is always ineffective to solve such conflicts through mediators. Actual results are achieved through direct negotiations without any intermediaries. Therefore, the conflict remains unresolved for many years.

There are no positive results in this respect. I do not think that Kazakhstan's appearance may  bring about any fundamental changes for the better. In my opinion, Azerbaijan and Armenia should agree explicitly, without any intermediaries, start a direct dialogue, clarify their goals, objectives, requirements to address this issue. The presence of intermediaries only delays the process of negotiations and leads nowhere.

What are your comments on Armenian President’s Chattam House speech? Do you think his speech undermined whole process of Nagorno-Karabakh negotiations?

In the context of Armenian-Turkish dialogue and refusal to sign the protocols, if the process of the Armenian-Turkish rapprochement would run in parallel with the Karabakh conflict settlement, it would have benefited all ... The Turkish side argued that it will not seek rapprochement with Armenia otherwise.

I think that the Armenian-Turkish rapprochement has been suspended with the problem of the Armenian-Azerbaijani conflict still hanging in the air.

T. Teymur