MOSCOW, September 26. /TASS/. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and Iraqi Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein have noted the importance of international efforts to de·escalate tensions in the Middle East, the Russian Foreign Ministry said after the meeting that took place in New York during the high·level week of the 81st session of the UN General Assembly.

"An exchange of views also took place on the pressing issues on the global and regional agenda, with a focus on the situation unfolding in the Persian Gulf region," it said in a statement.

"The importance of intensifying international efforts to quickly de·escalate the situation and ensure a political and diplomatic settlement of the existing conflicts in the Middle East was noted. The heads of the foreign policy departments also discussed the practical aspects of further developing the traditionally friendly Russian·Iraqi relations. Mutual interest in strengthening a trust·based political dialogue and expanding mutually beneficial cooperation in the trade, economic, humanitarian and other areas was confirmed.".