Lavrov and Clinton discuss preparations for OSCE summit in Astana

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton discussed bilateral relations and international issues over the phone on Monday, RIA Novosti reports, citing the Russian Foreign Ministry.

The conversation was initiated by the Russian side. "The foreign ministers discussed the current issues on the international and bilateral agendas in US-Russian relations, in particular regarding the preparations for the OSCE summit in Astana in early December this year and prospects for cooperation within the Russia – NATO Council,” the statement says.

"The ministers discussed issues concerning a Middle East settlement, as well as the interaction between Russia and the United States on a number of other important regional issues, including the situation in Afghanistan, Sudan and the Caucasus,” the Ministry noted.

Lavrov and Clinton also discussed the upcoming schedule of bilateral contacts at the highest levels, the progress of the Russian-American presidential commission and agreed on steps to advance the practical arrangements through its working groups.