Armenian News-NEWS.am spoke with the Israeli ambassador to Armenia, Joel Lion, about Armenian-Israeli relations.

When asked to assess the relations between Armenia and Israel, if he sees a real opportunity to deepen cooperation, and what prevents the two countries from doing so, Lion said he is sure that both sides see the opportunities that exist. He noted that they need to do more in medicine, tourism, and culture. According to him, these are the domains where they can do more. He noted that , for example, there are no direct flights between Armenia and Israel that could bring Armenian tourists to Israel and Israeli tourists to Armenia, and that is the best way to get to know each other, to establish ties between each other. The Israeli diplomat said he believes the way to deepen their relations is to develop those domains where we have shared lines, based on our shared values. He said Armenia has a great ambassador to Israel, they are trying to work together, and he really hope that they will have great success soon.

Regarding the remark that, on the one hand, there is a constant risk that Azerbaijan may invade the territory of Armenia, which was also noted a few days ago by US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, on the other hand, Israel is a strategic partner and ally for Azerbaijan, and when asked should that worry Armenia, the Israeli ambassador to Armenia said the fact that the interests of one country are linked to other countries does not mean that one cannot also have another country as a friend and companion of interests. He noted that the interests of Israel are linked to Armenia as well, Israel is interested in developing its relations with Armenia, too, this is important to them, and he really hopes they will find ways to deepen their relations and have real people-to-people ties because they are both ancient nations with a lot in common.

Regarding the information in open sources that Azerbaijan is buying weapons from several countries, including Israel and there are regular flights from the Israeli airport to Azerbaijan, and asked to comment on this information, the Israeli ambassador to Armenia noted that he will use his diplomatic immunity to say that they do not comment on Israel’s state security policy.

In terms of the risk that the property of the Armenian Patriarchate of Jerusalem may be confiscated, and the Armenian Patriarch has written a respective letter to Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu asking for his intervention to resolve the matter, the Israeli ambassador to Armenia stated that this matter is in the judicial process, and they cannot interfere with the course of justice. The matter is in the judicial process, and as a result, it will be decided what will happen he added.

And when asked whether that is how he sees the solution, Joel Lion said he hopes that the solution will be found in that way.