Moscow hopes talks between Russian, US top diplomats to boost bilateral dialogue

SAN FRANCISCO, October 7. /TASS/. Moscow hopes that a recent meeting between Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo will boost further a dialogue between the two countries, Russian Ambassador to the United States Anatoly Antonov said speaking at the Fort Ross Dialogue international forum in San Francisco. "The talks between both ministers were sincere and open," Antonov said. "We hope that the meeting will give an additional impetus to our dialogue." "I would like to point out to the recent reinvigoration in our bilateral relations," the diplomat continued. "We held consultations on the strategic stability, on the counter-terrorism, on the problems in bilateral relations. We are enjoying a successful exchange of opinions on North Korea and Afghanistan." "Our military forces maintain contacts in Syria. An effective and highly professional communications channel has been established at the level of the chiefs of the General Staffs," Antonov said. The Russian ambassador also said that the US administration positively treats an initiative of holding a bilateral advisory business council of Russia and the United States. The initiative was proposed by Russian President Vladimir Putin after his talks with US President Donald Trump in July 2018. The aim of the workgroup with the participation of "captains of Russian and American businesses" is to provide for the development of trade and investments between Russia and the United States. "The administration has supported this Russian initiative," Antonov said. "A positive reaction in regard to this initiative was voiced during the most recent meeting between Lavrov and Pompeo." "Although Washington is toughening up its policy, an interest of American companies in the Russian market keeps growing," the diplomat continued. "US businessmen do not want to leave Russia. They are set for expanding their production and investment presence." Lavrov and Pompeo met on September 27 on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly’s session in New York. Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova has described the talks as fruitful. Read more