EU to Improve Relations With Russia Despite Sanctions – Mogherini

The EU puts all efforts to improve relations with Russia despite the anti-Russia sanctions' extension, seeking to continue dialogue, says EU Foreign Policy Chief Federica Mogherini at a press conference.

BRUSSELS (Sputnik) — The European Union is working toward better relations with Russia despite sanctions, EU Foreign Policy Chief Federica Mogherini said on Monday.

Earlier in the day, the European Union issued a six-month extension of its anti-Russia sanctions, due to expire on Tuesday.

"This [the extension of sanctions] does not mean at all that there is no efforts on our side to improve the relations with Russia, to increase the level of dialogue and of understanding," Mogherini said at a press conference.

#EU's top diplomat #Mogherini says (((destabilized #Russia)) in nobody's interest http://t.co/ZD65KD6qgH via @YahooNews

— Grace (@PrayerPeace) May 7, 2015

The European Union and Russia cooperate on global issues, particularly the Middle East, and in a very constructive way, she stressed.

The European Union, the United States and their allies imposed several rounds of anti-Russia sanctions in 2014, accusing Moscow of interfering in the Ukrainian conflict. Russia has repeatedly dismissed the allegations, calling the sanctions counterproductive.

Russian government has already reacted by submitting a proposal to extend the food import embargo waiting for the presedential administration to approve it.