From Reuven Rivlin, President of the State of Israel

His Excellency Mr Ilham Aliyev, President of the Republic of Azerbaijan

Your Excellency,

Please accept my sincere congratulations to you and the people of Azerbaijan on the occasion of Republic Day. I wish your country and its people peace, unity, and prosperity.

Azerbaijan is an important and close partner of Israel, and our countries enjoy dynamic cooperation in business, innovation, science, education, security, tourism, culture and more. Our partnership is founded on the fraternal history of the Azerbaijani and Jewish peoples, as well as the joint determination of our nations to promote religious tolerance and to reject hatred and anti-Semitism in all its forms.

As we continue to deal with the impact of the coronavirus pandemic, Israel is committed to working together to help find solutions and responses to this cruel disease. I wish you and the people of Azerbaijan health and resilience.

Next year our countries will celebrate 30 years of diplomatic relations. I would like to take this opportunity to invite you, Mr. President, for a historic visit to the State of Israel, marking this milestone in our bond. Against the same backdrop, I also wish to express my sincere hope that the Republic of Azerbaijan will open an embassy in Israel in the near future. Diplomatic representation in both our countries would enable us to take significantly greater steps to strengthen and deepen our relations, bringing great benefit to both peoples.

Please accept, Your Excellency, the assurances of my highest consideration.

Yours sincerely,

Reuven Rivlin