Azerbaijani Deputy Foreign Minister Yalchin Rafyev highlights Saudi Arabia’s central role in strengthening security and stability in the region and promoting the activation of joint Arab-Islamic action mechanisms to end the war in Gaza.
Regarding relations between Saudi Arabia and Azerbaijan, Rafyev said: “Bilateral relations are strong and well-established. We find each other in foreign organizations and in many initiatives,” highlighting his country’s stance on the Kingdom’s bid to host Expo 2030 and its initiative to host FIFA 2034. World Cup.
In an interview with Asharq Al-Awsat, the Azerbaijani minister noted that during his recent stopover in Riyadh, he discussed with his Saudi counterpart, Al-Waleed bin Abdul Karim Al-Khereiji, new spaces for cooperation and tactics to take bilateral relations to new horizons. Horizons.
“We presented our perspectives on bilateral, regional and global issues and discussed opportunities for economic and humanitarian cooperation,” he said.
According to Rafyev, the volume of industry between Saudi Arabia and Azerbaijan reflects the essence of bilateral relations.
“We are talking about an industry volume of around $26 million a year, which of course is the desired level, but in recent years investment has developed steadily,” he said.
Rafyev added that Saudi ACWA Power will invest in the wind energy sector in Azerbaijan by 2025, highlighting new projects to be undertaken through the company in the future.
“Our two governments have signed cooperation agreements in the field of energy. This gives us hope that there will be more investment projects in the near future,” he said, revealing that Azerbaijan’s Foreign Minister will travel to Saudi Arabia early next year for talks. on tactics to expand economic cooperation.
The deputy minister of Foreign Affairs said that tourism cooperation with Saudi Arabia has been growing very steadily throughout the past ten months.
“We gain about 70,000 Saudi tourists a year, and the volume of Saudi tourists coming to our country shows the closeness of our cultures, our similarities and the commonality of our traditions,” he said.
Rafiyev continued: “We hope to strengthen cooperation in the field of green energy, green economy and smart technologies in our economic and agricultural systems to gain advantages for the whole world. “
Asked through Asharq Al-Awsat about Azerbaijan’s position regarding the war in Gaza, the deputy minister was pressured by the desire to prevent hostilities and massacres of civilians.
He added: “Azerbaijan’s position on this factor is clear. It demands the status quo of an independent Palestinian state with East Jerusalem as its capital and the need for an early end to the ongoing hostilities.
He also expressed the hope of resuming negotiations to find a long-term solution to the conflict.
Regarding the most recent developments on the Karabakh issue, Rafyev said that Azerbaijan regained “its sovereign territorial integrity, over its territory, last September. “
He continued: “We have taken steps to combat unrest and terrorism in the region. . . Our precedent is to normalize our relations with Armenia in order to build a long-term non-violent for our region. We proposed peace to Armenia and the final draft presented in September, pending the reactions of the Armenian side.
Yemen’s Houthis are exploiting the security of the Red Sea for internal propaganda purposes, warned Foreign Minister Ahmad Awad bin Mubarak, emphasizing that the group’s actions have no connection to supporting Palestinians.
Mubarak, addressing Asharq Al-Awsat, reaffirmed the Yemeni government’s commitment to continuing Saudi-led peace efforts.
National security adviser Jake Sullivan said there are any and all explanations as to why, despite the Houthis’ involvement, those attacks were completely allowed through Iran.
As Israel stepped up its crackdown on Gaza’s hospitals and schools, a U. S. official justified his country’s use of its veto force by opposing a solution to end the war. The official said the U. N. solution did not stipulate Israel’s right to protect itself against Hamas attacks. He stated that his country would try to include these issues in all UN solutions in the future.
U. S. State Department regional spokesperson Samuel Warburg told Asharq Al-Awsat that the U. S. supports efforts for peace and stability and works with all relevant parties to achieve those goals and create opportunities for cooperation and constructive understanding.
Referring to the meetings of the ministerial committee formed at the Arab and Islamic summits in Riyadh, he hoped that the results of those summits would lead to the achievement of common goals such as ending the existing conflict and the two-state solution.
Regarding the hostages, Warburg said his country is determined to ensure their safe and unconditional release. “We are working with our partners in the region to help achieve this goal. We appreciate your help in facilitating discussion and negotiations to secure his release,” he added.
The United States, for its part, continues its humanitarian efforts in Gaza, helping to facilitate the delivery of aid.
Given America’s unlimited power for Israel, what are the possibilities for cementing cooperation between the United States and its regional partners?
The United States emphasizes the right of any nation, including Israel, to protect itself and its other peoples in accordance with foreign law. At the same time, we emphasize the importance of respecting foreign regulations and commitments similar to civilian coverage.
Let’s not say that Hamas is a terrorist movement. It introduced violent terrorist attacks against civilians on 7 October. It is therefore guilty of this destruction and the harm caused to innocent civilians. Hamas does not care about the lives of civilians. It has long used Gaza’s civilian citizens as human shields.
The United States has a strong and physically powerful relationship with its allies in the Middle East and North Africa region. We are working together on a number of vital issues, including the fight against terrorism, strengthening regional security and stability and diplomatic support. efforts in the face of conflicts. Cooperation also guarantees the exchange of experiences, as well as joint education and cooperation in spaces such as economic progression and environmental challenges.
It is through those partnerships that we seek to build a safer and stronger region that provides opportunities for progress and prosperity to its people. This is an integral component of our efforts to achieve long-term stability and peace. continue and expand further.
What justification does the U. S. have for its veto force opposed to a UN solution to end the war in Gaza?
The use of the veto is due to express elements similar to the option of offering humanitarian assistance to civilians. As our ambassador to the United Nations, Linda Thomas-Greenfield, has said, we would have liked the draft resolutions to communicate on Israel’s right to self-defence and condemn Hamas terrorist attacks. We will ensure that those two elements are included in all long-term resolutions.
The U. S. is not waiting for the U. N. Security Council to act. Since the start of the conflict, President Joe Biden and Secretary of State Antony Blinken have led foreign efforts to call for accelerated aid to civilians in Gaza. Several humanitarian convoys have entered Gaza, but this is not enough. We will continue to ratchet up the tension to extend this operation as temporarily as possible.
The US will also continue to press for the release of the hostages unconditionally and safely. We will continue to work closely with members of the Security Council to find a way that enables the council to stress the need to protect civilians, bolster humanitarian support, condemn Hamas’ terrorist acts and underscore the right of each nation to defend itself against terrorism.
*Israel continues to destroy hospitals and schools in Gaza and to barbarically kill civilians. What guarantees are there that the war won’t expand and spill over into the region?
The United States remains committed to working to prevent the spread of fighting and increase tensions in the region. We are acutely aware of the damaging effect that these attacks are having on civilian infrastructure, the addition of hospitals and the loss of civilian life. . We emphasize the importance of respecting foreign humanitarian law and protecting civilians. But here we have to keep in mind a basic point, which is that Hamas is a terrorist movement and uses civilian spaces as safe havens. It is hiding there and would possibly be endangering the lives of civilians. This underscores his defense of civilian life.
For our part, we emphasize to foreign and regional partners the importance of avoiding any measures that could lead to an escalation of the confrontation and its consequences. We urge any country or party to refrain from exploiting the scenario for political or military gain and to think twice before acting.
The United States’ main goal is supporting peace efforts and achieving stability in the region. We are working towards facilitating dialogue and searching for diplomatic solutions that guarantee the security and safety of all peoples in the region.
*Some observers say the U. S. double-standards in Israel’s war on Gaza are fueling terrorism and encouraging militias to expand the war. What do you say to that?
U. S. foreign policy is based on strengthening security and peace. He looks for a balanced technique in the way he deals with external crises. We are working with our foreign and regional partners to inspire diplomatic responses and de-escalate tensions in the region. We are committed to stability and peace, and we continue our efforts to fight terrorism and find lasting responses that benefit all parties concerned.
What is the U. S. position on the final outcomes of the ministerial assembly planned through the Arab and Islamic summits?
The U. S. is looking forward to those summits. We recognize that we share a number of common goals with the countries of the region, including ending the existing conflict and achieving a two-State solution that provides equal dignity, prosperity and freedom for all Palestinians and Israelis. The United States is in a position to work with all relevant parties to achieve those goals and opportunities for cooperation through discussion and diplomacy.
To what extent will Israeli violations against civilians in Gaza hinder the policy of normalization with the countries of the region?
We can’t speak on behalf of the Israeli government, but when it comes to our policy, our current diplomatic efforts are focusing on the current crisis. At the same time, the US remains committed to the long-term goal which is achieving a more stable and prosperous Middle East through bolstering the normalization process and making progress in the two-state solution.
*What are the latest developments in U. S. action on the situation in Gaza and the hostage situation?
We are committed to ensuring the unconditional and safe release of the hostages. As Secretary Blinken has said, we are working with partners in the region to that end. We appreciate the assistance provided through those countries to facilitate the debate and negotiations for release. of the hostages. In addition, the United States continues its humanitarian efforts in Gaza, helping to facilitate humanitarian access. We stress the importance of providing a mandatory, both consistent and sustainable series to all civilians.
In a scathing attack, Eritrean President Isaias Afwerki criticized the African Union (AU), the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) and the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).
Iran is in a position to cooperate with Saudi Arabia with the Palestinian people, said Ambassador to Riyadh Ali Reza Enayati.
In an interview with Asharq Al-Awsat, Enayati said Tehran supports any initiative or collective action aimed at ending the aggression against the Gaza Strip, preventing the expansion of the unjust war against the defenseless Palestinian people, and ending the destruction and bloodshed.
He said Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi will attend the regular Islamic summit convened through Saudi Arabia on Sunday to discuss the Israeli aggression against the Gaza Strip and the tragic situation of the Palestinians.
Raisi’s visit to Saudi Arabia is the first by an Iranian President since the return of diplomatic relations between the two countries in March 2023, under the auspices of China.
The ambassador affirmed that Iran is in a position to play an influential role in formulating a unified position against the Israeli profession and supporting the Palestinian people in cooperation with Saudi Arabia, relevant parties, and regional and foreign organizations.
He noted that Iran addressed Tehran’s role in supporting the Palestinian cause at the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) foreign ministers’ assembly in Jeddah.
According to diplomatic sources, the Iranian president is scheduled to meet with the Saudi leadership on the sidelines of his participation in the regular Islamic summit.
The sources, who did not want to be named, said the meetings had yet been confirmed but efforts were being made to hold them, without elaborating.
In earlier statements, Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan demonstrated that the Saudi-Iranian agreement to repair diplomatic relations showed the not unusual willingness of the two sides to “resolve their differences through communication and dialogue. “
He stressed that it does not mean resolving all the “differences between the two countries.”
Bin Farhan is under pressure that the ultimate condition for opening a new page with Iran is commitment to the deal stipulated in the Saudi-Iranian-Chinese tripartite statement.
The Minister added that there was no doubt that the interest of the two countries and the region lies in activating paths of cooperation and coordination and focusing on development priorities in a way that leads to realizing the aspirations and hopes of both peoples and the young generations for a better future dominated by security, stability, and prosperity.
British Foreign Secretary James Cleverly stressed the importance of advancing the Arab initiative and two-state solution as the war between Israel and Hamas in the Gaza Strip continues.
In an interview with Asharq Al-Awsat in Riyadh on Thursday, “Clever and serious paintings to prevent the war in Gaza from turning into a regional conflict. “
He deftly highlighted his meetings with the foreign ministers of Saudi Arabia, Lebanon and Jordan, as well as his previous conversations with Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir Abdollahian, and said all discussions revolved around seeking to prevent war. spread to neighboring countries.
He said he told his Iranian counterpart about the necessity for Iran to use its influence on Hezbollah, the Houthis and the militias in Iraq and Syria to refrain from exploiting the ongoing war in Gaza to create more violence in Iraq and the region.
Asked about Britain’s position on the advances in Gaza, Cleverly said his country respects and supports Israel’s right to protect itself.
He added that Britain wanted Israel to be safe and the rest of the Palestinians to be safe. In this context, he insisted that the best way to achieve this goal is through the implementation of the two-state solution.
On tactics for investing in strategic meetings between Saudi Arabia and Britain to find a solution to the conflict, Cleverly said he had discussed with his Saudi counterpart, Prince Faisal bin Farhan, the Arab Peace Initiative and the Oslo Accords, as well as efforts to ensure that the Oct. 7 killings and loss of life in Gaza are not repeated.
According to the British diplomat, the UK believes that the way to achieve this goal is to work towards a non-violent two-state solution.
When asked to comment through an Israeli minister about the dropping of a nuclear bomb on Gaza, he skillfully pressed under pressure that such comments were absolutely false and inappropriate. He said Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu immediately fired the minister because he was not satisfied with the comments.
The British diplomat came under pressure because his recent talks with Arab officials had focused on the Arab Peace Initiative. He added that the UK would work with its partners, the peace partners in the Palestinian leadership, Israel and the Arab world, to try to achieve peace. in the region.
He cleverly went on to say that the only path to peace is when Israel feels most threatened through Gaza.
He stressed that it was unfortunate to see the Hamas leadership openly threatening to commit mass murder, as happened on Oct. 7.
The British diplomat wants to update what he calls competitive and violent leaders with other people committed to peace.
He cleverly concluded by saying that his country is working seriously to prevent the war in Gaza from becoming a regional conflict.
The Arab League has shown that an emergency summit, to be held in Saudi Arabia on Saturday, will spell out a strong Arab position on Palestinian rights and send an Arab-Palestinian message to the world about the centrality of a political solution to the problem. . Palestinian cause.
In an interview with Asharq Al-Awsat, Ambassador Hossam Zaki, deputy secretary-general of the Arab League, said that Arab foreign ministers will discuss the draft solution presented through Palestine on Thursday and achieve a position that is not unusual.
The Arab diplomat said that Western countries “have fallen morally into the existing crisis in Gaza,” adding that any communication about human rights and their respect “has disappeared when talking about the Palestinian human being. “
Zaki considers the positions of Moscow and Beijing to be more rational than those of the West.
“Russia and China are friendly countries and they perceive much better what is happening. . . This scenario allows them to adopt larger, more balanced and more rational positions than those of the West. We’re not saying they’re with us 100 percent, but they’re in much bigger positions,” he said.
Asked about his assessment of the U. S. position on the Gaza crisis, the official said it was “a position that is not positive, to say the least, and is very unfair to the Palestinian scenario and the rights of the Palestinians. “
The official expressed Arab determination to thwart any Israeli plans to forcibly displace Palestinians from their lands, noting that the Arab League will identify a mechanism to monitor Israeli crimes of genocide and prosecute them legally.
Regarding Arab perceptions of the future of the Gaza Strip, he said: “The Arabs refuse to talk about this matter before the ceasefire.”
Although “the Arab League is not involved in the current ceasefire efforts,” according to Zaki, “it actively follows those efforts. . . “
“The Israeli side still rejects the ceasefire and tries to exchange the truce for the hostage truce. . . The Arabs and other parties have a role to play in this effort. “
He also confirmed the presence of an Israeli plan to displace the Palestinians, saying: “Yes, we are convinced that Israel has this project, ambitions, and these ideas, but, God willing, we will thwart it completely.”
Zaki went on to say: “The Palestinian issue is not a security file, or a ‘war on terrorism’ issue… This is a complex issue with backgrounds and a history known to everyone, and the world must continue to view it as a political problem and deal with it on this basis.”
A few days before the emergency Arab summit in Riyadh, the Arab League’s deputy secretary-general said the arrangements were progressing apace.
He added that the Arab ministerial assembly “will discuss the proposed settlement project through Palestine, which will include a set of elements related to the political situation. “
Hamas is in a position to talk about an agreement to release civilian prisoners, said Moussa Abu Marzouk, a member of the Politburo.
In an interview with Asharq Al-Awsat, Abu Marzouk praised Moscow’s positions, saying that active Russian diplomacy “is working to put an end to Israeli crimes.”
Abu Marzouk, who led the group’s delegation at the stopover in Moscow, said Hamas’ motion appreciates Russia’s fair and humane stance, especially that of President Vladimir Putin.
He praised Russia’s efforts and international relations to end Israeli crimes against the Palestinian people, adding that Russia is “a friendly country. “
The delegation briefed Russian officials on the circumstances that led to the October 7 attack and presented the movement’s vision of the current events and mechanisms for dealing with them.
They put pressure on the right of the Palestinian people to Israeli occupation.
– “The prisoners are our guests. “
The Palestinian official said that from day one, Hamas has laid out its vision for civilian prisoners, saying the organization needs to release all detained civilians and foreigners who hold Israeli citizenship.
During the interview, he said: “The prisoners are our guests” until the appropriate conditions are available for their release, asserting that the severe Israeli bombing of the Gaza Strip complicates the process.
The prisoner factor was also discussed in Moscow at the group’s meetings with Russian officials, according to a Russian Foreign Ministry official.
Abu Marzouk explained that after the fall of the Israeli army’s Gaza division, numerous citizens and dozens of fighters from Palestinian factions entered the occupied territories and arrested dozens of people, most of them civilians.
He indicated that the group needs some time to search, classify them, and release them.
However, this is unimaginable due to the intense Israeli bombardment, as the destructive force of the Israeli bombs that fell on Gaza during the 20 days is equivalent to the nuclear bomb that hit Hiroshima.
– A crushing defeat
The Hamas official hoped Russia and other countries would be successful in their efforts to stop the war, asserting that the Israeli threat to launch a ground invasion would fail.
The Israeli army suffered a crushing defeat and its toughest military department fell within five hours to no more than 1,500 fighters trying to drive out the occupation, the official said.
He said the Israeli enemy is mobilizing tens of thousands of troops alongside those of the United States and the West.
Abu Marzouk told Asharq Al-Awsat that Washington had sent its largest aircraft carrier, which was on its way, and that it had sent around 2,000 special forces troops.
Western countries are mobilizing their forces in Mediterranean countries, the Hamas official said, stressing that this Western-backed aggression is doomed to failure and that the morale of resistance fighters is high.
– russian paper
Meanwhile, Hossam Badran, a member of Hamas’s political bureau, said Russia is capable of playing an important role in ending the war and offering aid to the Gaza Strip.
Badran said Hamas appreciates Russia’s role at the international level, especially its use of veto power in response to the US position, which supports the occupation endlessly.
He stressed that Russia can play a more significant role in ending the aggression against the people in Gaza and exert international pressure to deliver urgent aid to the Strip.
The Russian Foreign Ministry indicated that Russia had discussed, at a meeting with a leading Hamas delegation in Moscow, the issue of foreign hostages and the evacuation of Russian citizens from the Gaza Strip.
The official Novosti news firm quoted a Foreign Ministry official as saying: “Contacts were maintained with him as an extension of the Russian line in the wake of the arrival of foreign hostages in the Gaza Strip. Issues similar to the evacuation of Russian and foreign citizens of the territory The issues of the Palestinian enclave were also discussed.
– Palestinian state
The meeting affirmed Russia’s firm position in support of implementing the well-known resolutions issued by the international community, including the relevant Security Council resolutions, which stipulate the establishment of a sovereign Palestinian state within the 1967 borders that includes its occupied territories with East Jerusalem as its capital.
The Hamas delegation held closed-door talks with Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Bogdanov, and Washington criticized the visit, saying it was not the right time for Hamas.
China’s special envoy to the Middle East Zhai Jun revealed his country’s endeavor to mobilize international efforts to immediately stop the Israeli war on Gaza.
Speaking to Asharq Al-Awsat on the sidelines of his visit to Riyadh, the Chinese diplomat said his talks with Saudi officials highlighted a convergence of perspectives and a not unusual preference for developing bilateral coordination and consultations to prevent Israel’s attack on Gaza.
He added that he would also call on Jordan to join efforts to achieve a ceasefire and calm the situation, stressing that other Palestinians have the same right to identify an independent state.
The Chinese official said that the only means to resolve the Palestinian issue lies in implementing the two-state solution and restoring the legitimate national rights of the Palestinian people. He added that violence and counter-violence only lead to falling into a vicious circle and create more obstacles to the political solution.
Zhai Jun said China calls for a more credible, larger-scale and effective foreign peace convention to urgently press the Palestinian and Israeli sides to resume peace talks and identify a detailed timeline and roadmap.
He noted that true and lasting peace and security for all in the Middle East region cannot be achieved except after finding a comprehensive and just solution to the Palestinian cause.
The Chinese official is under pressure for his country to continue with the Palestinians to repair their valid national rights and identify their independent state.
He added that since the beginning of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, the Chinese side has been making intensive efforts to achieve a ceasefire and prevent further violence.
In this regard, he told Asharq Al-Awsat that a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, Foreign Minister Wang Yi, has held several meetings and made phone calls to this effect with foreign ministers and senior political officials. figures from Palestine, Israel, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Iran, Turkey, Russia, the United States, Brazil, Malaysia and others.
An assembly was also held with the UN Secretary-General and the High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy to clarify China’s position and vision on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
According to Zhai Jun, China strongly condemns and opposes all moves targeting civilians and violating foreign law, and calls for a swift ceasefire, covering civilians and opening humanitarian aid corridors, until essential goods reach residents. of the Gaza Strip.
The Chinese official held the United Nations and the UN Security Council responsible for calming the situation as quickly as possible, stressing that the international community must act urgently and provide more humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip. In the same context, he called for major powers to move to calm the situation and commit to objectivity and justice.
The Future Investment Initiative (FII7) has set out a new roadmap for cooperation between Rome and Riyadh and offers opportunities for strategic and dynamic relations, said Italy’s ambassador to Saudi Arabia, Roberto Cantone.
More than 70 Italian companies are investing in the Saudi market, including the green energy, synthetic intelligence and generation sectors.
In an interview with Asharq Al-Awsat, Cantone noted that FII7 has a leading global platform to explore the new trends, opportunities, challenging situations and emerging industries that will shape the global economy and investment environment in the coming decades.
The FII7 Forum allowed Italian companies to discuss with their counterparts from investment groups and emerging companies in Riyadh.
According to Cantone, Italy’s high-level participation in the convention helped enrich discussions on long-term investment projects and global trends shaping long-term economies.
There is also cooperation between Rome and Riyadh in many areas, as known through Vision 2030.
Cantone recalled that bilateral relations date back to the 1930s and have continued to expand over the years.
He indicated that lately the Kingdom is experiencing a steady expansion in various spaces of cooperation in sectors ranging from the most modern technologies and its programs in the fitness system, agriculture, space, cultural heritage and preservation of antiquities.
Cantone reiterated that cooperation between Italy and the Kingdom is undergoing strategic and dynamic development, as demonstrated by the bilateral investment forum held in Milan last September.
The forum highlighted the wonderful prospects for strengthening cooperation between the two countries in fields, adding green energy, synthetic intelligence and technology, he said.
The most recent industry data shows that the bilateral industry between Italy and Saudi Arabia is growing and will reach $12 billion by 2022.
The first quarter of 2023 is also promising, with Italian exports to the Kingdom increasing by 24 percent.
The diplomat pointed out that Italian exports to the Kingdom include industrial machinery, electronic devices, communications devices, chemicals, pharmaceutical products, agricultural foods, fashion, design, cosmetics, and cars.
The total balance of Italian net foreign direct investment in Saudi Arabia amounted to more than $4.6 billion, said Cantone, pointing out that the investment forum in Milan witnessed the signing of a memorandum to enhance direct investments between the two countries.
Cantone concluded by expressing his satisfaction that Saudi companies, in particular the Public Investment Fund (PIF), are more interested in investing in strategic sectors of the Italian economy, stating that this confirms the Kingdom’s confidence in the Italian business environment.