Israeli envoy visits Azerbaijan’s cities, eyes stronger cooperation

Israeli Ambassador to Azerbaijan Ronen Krausz visited Ganja and Mingachevir on August 5–6, holding talks with local officials and exploring opportunities to expand bilateral cooperation in the economic, cultural, humanitarian, agricultural and energy sectors, the Israeli Embassy has said.

In a post on X, it noted that the two-day visit was aimed at further strengthening the friendship between Azerbaijan and Israel, fostering inter-regional ties, and identifying new avenues for cooperation across a range of sectors.

İsrailin Azərbaycandakı səfiri Ronen Krausz 5-6 avqust tarixlərində Gəncə və Mingəçevirə səfər edib. Səfər Azərbaycan və İsrail arasında dostluq münasibətlərinin daha da möhkəmləndirilməsi, regionlararası əlaqələrin inkişafı və iqtisadi, mədəni, humanitar, kənd təsərrüfatı və… pic.twitter.com/YYaQCSNbo2

— Israel in Azerbaijan (@IsraelinAZ) August 7, 2026

On the first day of the visit, Krausz met with Ganja City Executive Authority Head Niyazi Bayramov.

“The sides exchanged views on the existing friendship between Azerbaijan and Israel, prospects for expanding regional cooperation, and opportunities for collaboration in the economic, cultural and humanitarian fields,” the post added.

During his stay in Ganja, the ambassador and his delegation visited the Ganja Memorial Complex, where they paid tribute to civilians killed in rocket attacks by the Armenian armed forces on the city, laying flowers at the memorial.

The delegation also toured the Ganja Wine Factory and visited the mausoleum of the great Azerbaijani poet Nizami Ganjavi.

“In the Goygol district, Krausz explored the region's German heritage and was briefed on the raspberry harvesting process. During a meeting with the founders and members of By Aurum Girls LLC in Uchbulag village, the delegation learned about the company's activities, agricultural initiatives and future plans,” the post stated.

On the second day of the visit, August 6, Krausz travelled to Mingachevir, where he met with Mingachevir City Executive Authority Head Ilham Ismayilov. The discussions focused on the city's socio-economic development, industrial and energy potential, and prospects for future cooperation.

The ambassador and his delegation also laid flowers at the bust of National Leader Heydar Aliyev in tribute to his memory.

“In Mingachevir, the delegation toured the Mingachevir Hydroelectric Power Station, the Azerbaijan Thermal Power Plant and the Mingachevir Reservoir, where they received detailed briefings on Azerbaijan's energy infrastructure and strategically important facilities,” it stressed.

The visit also included a tour of the Mingachevir Industrial Park, where the delegation was introduced to operating enterprises, ongoing industrial projects and the city's industrial potential.

The visit marked an important step toward expanding Azerbaijan-Israel relations not only at the national level but also through closer cooperation between regions, while identifying new partnership opportunities and further strengthening the longstanding friendship between the two countries.

By Bakhtiyar Abbasov