Lavrov, Rubio discuss bilateral agenda, Ukraine, Iran, Syria at meeting in Malaysia - Russian Foreign Ministry

KUALA LUMPUR. July 10 (Interfax) - Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio discussed the bilateral and international agenda and reiterated the determination to restore Russian-U.S. cooperation in a number of areas at a meeting on Thursday, the Russian Foreign Ministry said.

"To follow up on the agreements reached between the Russian and U.S. presidents, including their latest phone call on July 3, the parties substantively compared notes on the entire range of items on the bilateral agenda and those related to the situation in the world. They had a meaningful and candid exchange of opinions on Ukraine settlement, the situation surrounding Iran and Syria, and a number of other international problems," the ministry said in a statement on Thursday.

Lavrov and Rubio "reiterated mutual determination to look for peaceful solutions to conflict situations and to restore Russian-American economic and humanitarian cooperation and unhindered contacts between communities in the two countries, which could be facilitated, in particular, by the resumption of direct air services," the ministry said.

In addition, they "underscored the importance of continuing to work on normalizing the functioning of bilateral diplomatic missions," it said.

"The Russian and U.S. foreign policy agencies will continue a constructive and mutually respectful dialogue on a broadening scope of issues of mutual interest," it said.

Lavrov and Rubio met in Kuala Lumpur on the sidelines of ASEAN ministerial events.