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Are Israeli business interests represented in the South Caucasus and vice versa?
Dmitry Maryasis, the executive director of the Russian-Israeli business council under the Russian Chamber of Commerce and Industry
Today there is intensive cooperation between Israel and Azerbaijan,
Israel and Uzbekistan, Israel and other countries of the region.
Uzbekistan is not actually part of the South Caucasus, but these are nearby territories,
and Israel actively cooperates with Russian republics in the Caucasus.
An agricultural technology agreement was signed with the Chechen government a month and a half ago.
Israel is present in the region both on a political and economic level.
In Russia, speaking about certain spheres, it is economic cooperation.
Regarding other countries, Azerbaijan is a leader of the region, the richest country.
There is political and economic cooperation between them, security cooperation.
The region is important for Israel of course.
If we donít speak about serious political aspects, geopolitics,
but focus on economy, these were regions which were not explored by Israeli business previously.
In the 1990s the region had nothing to offer Israel;
on the other hand, there was no demand.
Today Azerbaijan, a rather wealthy country which clearly understands its demands, is ready to pay.
It is very interesting for Israel.
At a certain moment Israel had very intensive cooperation with Georgia,
but ahead of the war of 2008, Russia asked Israel to stop providing Georgia with arms.
Israel agreed with the demand.
It worsened relations between Israel and Georgia.
There was a very negative tendency in economic cooperation.
Today the situation improves.
However, Georgia is not an economically wealthy country.
So, Georgian projects are smaller, but Israel plays a significant role in them.
A big role is played by Diasporas of Azerbaijani Jews in Israel and Georgian Jews in Israel.
Of course, this cooperation is provided through separate channels
ñ money is invested, personal contacts are used, as a common language is a big potential for approaching.
Looking at the region, I see positive shifts in cooperation between Israel and the Caucasus.
Chechnya is not a country, but I can see an intensification of cooperation between the region and Israel.