On October 10, Palestinian ambassador to Azerbaijan Naseer Abdul-Kareem stated for Eurasia Diary that Azerbaijan has transferred $200,000 to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA), as he met with Umud Mirzayev, President of the International Eurasia Press Fund (IEPF).
Touching upon bilateral ties between the two countries, Naseer Abdul-Kareem said that Azerbaijan has hosted various conferences on the Israel-Palestine conflict, which means that political relationship between Azerbaijan and Palestine is very good and develops day-by-day.
In his remarks, ambassador mentioned that all of these prove that there are friendly and strong relations between the two nations. The official meetings between the heads of governments, former presidents, Haydar Aliyev and Yasser Arafat were the start point of mutual ties.
In his interview with Eurasia Diary, he also commented on a couple of questions, as well.
Eurasia Diary: Both countries faced the same problems such as millions of refugees, unfulfilled resolutions, double standards in international arena. In this regard, do Azerbaijan and Palestine jointly coordinate their policy?
Ambassador: There are close cooperation in all international organizations and Azerbaijan always supports Palestinian people in the settlement of the conflict. Palestine also supports Azerbaijan in the peaceful resolution of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. This is very important for both of us. We know that there are the unfulfilled resolutions adopted by the United Nations and other international organizations. Despite all, there is nothing changed. Unfortunately, this is the reality of the world that we live in. For that reason we should be patient and tolerant and take steps toward our goals, because the conflicts can’t be solved in a day. The settlement of the protracted conflicts requires stamina and patience. We should withstand the hypocrisy and to make effort the international decisions and international law to be done and respected.
Eurasia Diary: How do you see the possibility of solving these painful problems and, in general, what is the future of relations between Azerbaijan and Palestine?
Ambassador: As I said before, there are good and strong relations between Azerbaijan and Palestine. We would like to boost these relations in various fields, such as political collaboration in the frames of mutual coordination and agreement. Amid those relations, trade, economic and educational ties could also cover the relationship between Azerbaijan and Palestine. A lot of Palestinian students get the education in Azerbaijan. Taking into account the current situation in Palestine, we know that Azerbaijan is an independent and flourishing state. But Palestine is a country which is a subject to the occupation which affects all aspects of its life. This, in turn, creates many problems for our cooperation in the economic and commercial spheres. However, the Palestinian and Azerbaijani leaderships have the determination to continue to strengthen and expand these ties.
Interviewed by Hashim Mammadov and Zakir Gasimov
