No specific plans for Lavrov meeting with new Turkish FM for now - Russian Deputy FM

MOSCOW. June 19 (Interfax) - Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov could have a meeting with new Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan in the foreseeable future, although no particular date has been set for now, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Alexander Grushko said on Monday.

"There are no specific plans for a meeting between the ministers for now, but [we have] agreed to maintain the momentum of not only [our] political contacts but also bilateral relations as a whole. I think such contact will take place in the foreseeable future without unnecessary delays," Grushko told journalists in Moscow.

When Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan took office on June 3 after his reelection, he announced Fidan's appointment as foreign minister in Turkey's new cabinet. Fidan had previously led the National Intelligence Organization.

Lavrov and Fidan spoke by phone on June 9. At the time, Lavrov reaffirmed his willingness to continue constructive interaction.

Both sides "reaffirmed their readiness to continue constructive interaction between the two countries' foreign ministries," the Russian Foreign Ministry said in a statement issued at the time.

The ministry said Lavrov and Fidan exchanged opinions on key aspects of Russian-Turkish cooperation, including the work of the intergovernmental commission on trade and economic cooperation, with an emphasis placed on major energy projects, discussed a timeline of upcoming bilateral contacts, and addressed some international and regional problems.