BAKU (EurasiaNet)–Israel will help Azerbaijan produce unmanned reconnaissance planes and satellites, Azerbaijani media has reported.
Under the terms of an agreement reached during Israeli President Shimon Peres’ June 28-29 visit to Baku, Israeli defense contractor Aeronautics Defense Systems will construct the factory. The company’s chief executive officer, Avi Leumi, accompanied Peres on his visit.
Israeli companies will also participate in highway infrastructure development projects, the Azerbaijani news service Vesti reported.
Criticism from Iran, Azerbaijan’s southern neighbor, is likely to escalate with the news. Tehran had earlier argued that Baku’s cooperation with Israel does not befit a predominantly Muslim country like Azerbaijan. Iran’s ambassador to Azerbaijan was recalled to Tehran for consultations after Peres’ visit.