MOSCOW. June 30 (Interfax) - Despite pressure from the United States, Israel decided not to join sanctions against Russia, Israeli Ambassador to Russia Dorit Golender said in an interview with Interfax.
"Responding to your question about pressure from, let's say, our ally, I can tell you, and we have been saying this straight out at meetings with representatives of the Russian government, that, indeed, there was such pressure, but, nonetheless, Israel is pursuing a policy which it considers to be the most useful for itself," the ambassador said.
"It is true that the United States is our long-time ally and our key strategic partner. But, at the same time, it is highly important for Israel to maintain friendly and good relations with Russia," the Israeli diplomat said.
"For this reason, Israel, as an independent state, decided against joining the sanctions that were imposed by the European Union and the U.S. on Russia," Golender said.
"And we can see that ties between Israel and Russia have not been affected and continue to develop," the ambassador said.
The policy pursued by Israel's government "is aimed at maintaining relations with Russia as its partner and friend," she said.
"The complicated economic situation in Russia has not affected cooperation with Israel," the diplomat said.
"I believe that new opportunities have also opened up for us and we need to take advantage of them. In particular, I am speaking about Israeli technologies in agriculture, poultry breeding and dairy production. Israeli specialists are holding talks with the Russian side on that score," she said.
"We received third countries' offers of participation in our joint projects with Russia. We are aware of trilateral cooperation between Israel, India and Russia. Other countries also want to join it today. This issue is being considered, but a final decision has not been made as of yet," Golender said.
Efforts also continue to prepare a free trade area agreement between Israel and the Customs Union, she said.
"Upon completion of these talks, and if the agreement is signed, new broad opportunities will open up in our trade relations. It means that our prospects are good," the ambassador said.
For the full version of Golender's interview, visit the www.interfax.ru website.