Live UpdateFrom the Liveblog of Sunday, May 28, 2023

Amid warming ties, Herzog to visit Azerbaijan on Tuesday

By Lazar Berman 28 May 2023, 3:09 pm 0 Edit

Lazar Berman is The Times of Israel's diplomatic reporter

President Isaac Herzog hosts an event recognizing outstanding soldiers as part of Israel's 75th Independence Day celebrations, at the President's Residence in Jerusalem, April 26, 2023. (Yonatan Sindel/Flash90)

President Isaac Herzog is flying to Azerbaijan on Tuesday, the latest step in an ongoing and very public expansion of bilateral ties.

Herzog, who will be traveling with his wife Michal, will meet Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev in Baku at the Zugulba presidential palace.

Aliyev will receive the Herzogs with an honor guard that will play Israel’s national anthem, “Hatikva.”

The two presidents will then conduct a working meeting, follow by a state lunch along with the first ladies.

Herzog is also scheduled to participate in a ceremony along with the local Jewish community celebrating Israel’s 75th birthday before heading home on Wednesday.

Health and Interior Minister Moshe Arbel from the Shas party will accompany Herzog on the visit, and will meet with his Azerbaijani counterpart Teymur Musayev.

Arbel and Musayev will discuss cooperation on training doctors, digital health, and emergency preparedness, according to Herzog’s office. They will also sign an agreement on healthcare cooperation.