Azernews.Az

The Turkish ambassador in Baku has said that at a time of Turkey’s tension with Israel, its ally Azerbaijan should reconsider its relations with Tel-Aviv.

"We have stood beside Azerbaijan at all times, throughout history," Hulusi Kilic said on a program aired by ANS TV channel. "Our border [with Armenia, Azerbaijan’s long-time foe] has been shut for 18 years for Azerbaijan’s sake. If Turkey keeps its border closed because of Azerbaijan for 18 years, the problem of a fraternal country should be Azerbaijan’s problem as well…This has to affect [Azerbaijan’s] relations [with Israel]."

Kilic reminded that Azerbaijani oil is transported to Israel from the Turkish Mediterranean port of Ceyhan.

"Israel should think about it and take into consideration that there could be problems here.

"The Azerbaijani government knows what it is doing. And we fully rely on Azerbaijan," the ambassador said.

Israeli Ambassador Michael Lavon-Lotem has told ANS TV that his country maintains firm and strategic relations with Azerbaijan, and no other state is capable of tarnishing them.

Angered by Israel's refusal to apologize over the nine deaths on a Turkish aid flotilla to Gaza last year, Turkey suspended military ties with Israel, expelled the Israeli ambassador, pledged to support the Palestinians' statehood bid and vowed to send the Turkish navy to escort Gaza-bound aid ships in the future.