Ancient and modern “homeland of Noah”: a view from Israel

Israeli political scientist Aryeh Gut: “Despite the blockade by Armenia, Nakhichevan is experiencing a period of true prosperity”

“The Baku Humanitarian Forum was successful; such grandiose events bring glory to Azerbaijan. The Baku Humanitarian Forum is a very important international event, a real and real platform for the world intellectual elite, where politicians, former heads of state, scientists, cultural figures, and representatives of civil society meet. This forum brought together people from different regions of the world. Visiting Nakhichevan as part of the forum is doubly significant for me,” about this in an interview with the newspaper Forum Daily said a participant in the IV International Humanitarian Forum, a permanent commentator for the Voice of Israel radio station, an expert in the field of international relations, the co-chairman of the Israeli Association for South Caucasus Studies, Arieh Gut.

"It was here that I learned that The name Nakhichevan translates as “Noah's birthplace,” and it is in this region, according to biblical sources, that the famous Noah's Ark clung to the mountain. In the early Middle Ages, Nakhichevan was the capital of the Atabey state, and since 1921 it became the center of the autonomous territory of Azerbaijan. Nakhchivan, with its centuries-old traditions of statehood, has always worthily preserved the rich cultural heritage of the Azerbaijani people. Outstanding figures of science, culture, and historical figures, who are natives of this region, have made an invaluable contribution to the socio-economic, socio-political life of the country. Nakhchivan also gave the Azerbaijani people a historical figure of global scale - Heydar Aliyev,” noted Arie Gut.

According to Gut, the modern development of Nakhichevan is associated with the name of the national leader of Azerbaijan, Heydar Aliyev, who paid a lot of attention and care to Nakhichevan during all periods of his activity. “As a result of the successful policy of President Ilham Aliyev, Azerbaijan has achieved major geopolitical and geo-economic successes. President Ilham Aliyev is successfully developing Azerbaijan, including its inseparable part - the Nakhichevan Autonomous Republic. It is a fact that the attention and care of the President of Azerbaijan ensured the dynamic development of the Nakhichevan Autonomous Republic, which lives under blockade by Armenia.

In 2003-2013, the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic also went a long way. During this period, in the autonomous republic, the gross domestic product grew by 13,9 times, and per capita - by 12 times, industrial production - by 49 times, agricultural products - by 4,7 times, investment in fixed assets - by 16,4 times, foreign trade turnover - in 13,9 times, paid services rendered to the population - in 12,9 times. A lot of work has been done in the field of education, health, culture, infrastructure and other areas. Today, Nakhichevan is a meeting place for heads of state and government, important international conferences and forums. In 2018, Nakhchivan will fulfill a very important mission of the capital of Islamic culture, ”noted Arieh Gut.

According to the Israeli expert, now ancient Nakhichevan is experiencing a period of genuine prosperity. “Economic changes are favorably influenced by thoughtful, systemic reforms that create a competitive environment and high technologies that strengthen the public sector and the private sector, including small and medium-sized businesses. Administrative mechanisms regulating entrepreneurship are being liberalized, unnecessary restrictions are being abolished, the pace of privatization is accelerating, and domestic and foreign investment is being widely attracted. Such processes are under the constant control of Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev.”

Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic has a very important and interesting tourism potential. Nakhichevan, rich in its historical monuments (Gemigaya, Farhad's house, Ajhabi - Kahf, Yusif ibn Kuseir's turbe, Momine Khatun turbe, Gulustan turbe, Khanegah turbe, Gazanchi bridge, Nakhichevan Juma Mosque, Geysariyya, Eastern Bathhouse, Nakhichevan Glacier, etc.) is one of the ancient Azerbaijani lands. In Nakhichevan, in addition to the amazing nature, warm, mild climate, comfortable hotels and beautiful architectural and historical monuments, there are over 250 sources of medicinal and mineral waters, which makes it possible to develop an extensive sanatorium-resort area with very cheap comprehensive services. “The excellent medical recreation centers operating in Nakhichevan should help strengthen the tourism potential of the autonomous republic,” Arie Gut emphasized.