Israel says Azerbaijan to open Tel Aviv embassy

Azerbaijan opened a trade office and a tourism office earlier

Israel recognised Azerbaijan shortly after it declared its independence amid the break-up of the Soviet Union in 1991.

Israel yesterday welcomed a decision by Azerbaijan to open an embassy in Tel Aviv, three decades after the country and the Jewish state established diplomatic relations.

“The Azerbaijani parliament made the historic decision to open an embassy of Azerbaijan in Tel Aviv, Israel,” the office of outgoing Prime Minister Yair Lapid said, without providing details on when the move would take place.

“I welcome the decision,” the premier said in a statement.

Israel has an embassy in Baku, with Azerbaijan opening a trade office in Tel Aviv in July 2021, and a tourism office in March 2022.

Last month, Israeli Defence Minister Benny Gantz visited Azerbaijan and met with President Ilham Aliyev.

The Azerbaijani decision to open an embassy was “the result of the Israeli government’s efforts to build strong diplomatic bridges with the Muslim world,” Lapid said.

It comes after close Azerbaijani ally Turkey named an ambassador to Israel earlier this month for the first time in four years.

Israel recognised Azerbaijan shortly after it declared its independence amid the break-up of the Soviet Union in 1991.