All news

Russian-US direct dialogue on fighting terrorism will be helpful — US State Department

US National Security Advisor John Bolton said at a press conference after his visit to Moscow on Tuesday that the two sides agreed to restart dialogue on issues of fighting against terrorism
US State Department headquarters in Washington, DC EPA/MIKE THEILER
US State Department headquarters in Washington, DC
© EPA/MIKE THEILER

WASHINGTON, October 24. /TASS/. The US Administration thinks that resuming a direct Russian-US dialogue on fighting against terrorism would be helpful, a US State Department spokesperson told TASS on Wednesday.

US National Security Advisor John Bolton said at a press conference after his visit to Moscow on Tuesday that the two sides agreed to restart dialogue on issues of fighting against terrorism, which was suspended several years ago because of Washington's decisions. Bolton clarified that contacts will be maintained at the level of Russian deputy foreign minister and US deputy state secretary. The meeting will be held in December, and concrete dates will be coordinated later, Bolton said.

"As Ambassador Bolton stated, it will be useful to continue a direct dialogue. We have nothing to announce beyond Ambassador Bolton’s statement at this time," a US State Department spokesperson said in response to a question on where the upcoming talks will be held and whether inter-departmental delegations will participate.

The Russian-US inter-departmental working group on fighting terrorism was created in 2000. In 2009 it became part of the bilateral presidential commission. The activities of the commission and 21 working groups were suspended by Washington in the spring 2014 over the crisis in Ukraine.