Russian, U.S. reps hold consultations on 'irritants' in bilateral relations - Deputy FM Ryabkov

MOSCOW. Nov 9 (Interfax) - Russian and United States representatives have held another round of consultations on "irritants" in bilateral relations, while contacts between Moscow and Washington have been minimized now, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov said on Thursday.

"Dialogue channels between Moscow and Washington have been minimized at the American side's initiative," Ryabkov said in an interview with RTVi.

"The [Russian] Foreign Ministry and the [U.S.] Department of State are communicating with each other through the embassies these days," he said.

"In addition to this, in-person contacts have taken place from time to time, including in third countries. A round of bilateral consultations on so-called irritants in our relations was held at a high level not so long ago," Ryabkov said.

"There's been predictably small progress and poor prospects for moving ahead, even though it would probably make sense to move toward more normality at least as concerns the functioning of the diplomatic missions or visa affairs," he said.