YEREVAN.- The absence of the Israeli Embassy in Armenia does not speak about chill in Armenia-Israeli relations, Israeli consul in the Caucasus Ron Schechter told reporters on Thursday.

He explained that the Israeli Ambassador to Armenia is a non-resident, and his permanent residence is the Israeli Foreign Ministry in Jerusalem. Ambassador arrives in Yerevan several times a year. Israeli Embassy in Georgia is dealing with the consular affairs.

“As regards consular services for repatriation, the main place of work is Israeli Embassy in Tbilisi. However, since arriving from Armenia to Georgia is not a simple thing, I arrive once in Tbilisi and once in Yerevan, on average, once in three months,” Schechter said.

He noted that Armenia and Israel have friendly relations and business contacts.

“The absence of the Israeli Embassy in Armenia does not mean that there is chill in relationship,” he added.

Head of the Jewish community in Armenia Rima Varzhapetyan said she had been raising the question of an embassy at different levels.

“I am told it is done merely due to economic factors. As soon as Armenia opens an embassy in Israel, Israel will open an embassy in Armenia,” she emphasized.

Armenia and Israel established diplomatic relation in 1992.