“Azerbaijan and Israil share a close strategic friendship. These relations have a major economic dimension, which benefits both countries. Since Azerbaijan opened its embassy in Israel three years ago, economic relations have soared,” said Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar at the Azerbaijan-Israel Business Forum held in Baku.

According to the Israeli minister, in 2025, civil trade increased by around 50%, reaching over $360 million. “I'm sure that next year and the year afterwards the numbers will be bigger. Azerbaijan has an important regional standing and key geographic location. This makes it a gateway for Israeli business to the entire region, including the region of Central Asia. There are 20 weekly direct flights between Baku and Tel Aviv, also Rome. And I want to praise Azerbaijan's national airlines, AZAL, for continuing its direct flights over the past two years. This reflects the mutual trust between our countries and also your commitment. We appreciate it,” the minister noted.

Minister Gideon Sa’ar mentioned that in 2025, 60,000 Israeli tourists visited Azerbaijan. “It's also a huge step upwards, but I'm sure the numbers will be better next year and the year afterwards. I believe that we can increase this number dramatically. I call on more Israelis to come visit Azerbaijan, a beautiful and safe country for Jews and Israelis. I also call on more Azerbaijanis to come visit Israel. We look forward to welcoming you,” he underlined.

Noting that they are continuing the economic dialogue with the Forum, the Israeli minister praised Azerbaijan's State Oil Company, SOCAR, for its strategic investment in the Tamar gas field.

“I believe that this reflects Azerbaijan's smart approach in its foreign and economic policy. It also demonstrates the mutual trust and economic benefit in this strategic partnership. Our strong economic relations reflect close people-to-people and governmental ties. And relations are getting really strong when it's people-to-people ties. But I believe that these economic relations have even greater potential, which we intend to realize. That is why I arrived today with a major delegation, one of the biggest delegations of business and economic leaders from Israel, economic organizations and companies, over 40 representatives. It represents also various fields in the economy such as water, energy, health, security, agriculture, and other,” Gideon Sa’ar emphasized.