Moscow, March 1 (NationPress) Moscow and Washington have reached an agreement on collaborative strategies to guarantee the uninterrupted financing of their diplomatic missions within each other's territories, as reported by the Russian Foreign Ministry.

Delegations from both nations engaged in discussions in Istanbul, Turkey, on Thursday.

The confidential meeting at the US consulate general lasted more than six hours, according to Xinhua news agency.

The Ministry announced on Friday that both parties deliberated on methods to address the many "irritants" affecting their bilateral relations.

"Collaborative measures were established to ensure the unhindered financing of the diplomatic missions of Russia and the United States on a reciprocal basis, and to foster suitable conditions for diplomats to execute their official responsibilities," it stated.

The Russian delegation was led by Alexander Darchiev, the director of the North Atlantic Department, while the US team was headed by Sonata Coulter, the deputy assistant secretary of state managing policy towards Russia and Central Europe.

As per the directives from the Foreign Ministers, strategies to navigate the numerous "irritants" inherited from prior US administrations were thoroughly examined, according to the Foreign Ministry.

Both sides concurred on collaborative actions to secure the unhindered financing of their diplomatic missions reciprocally and to create favorable conditions for diplomats to fulfill their official roles, the Ministry added.

Moreover, the Ministry highlighted that Russia raised concerns regarding its diplomatic properties in the US, particularly six real estate assets that were "illegally seized" between 2016 and 2018.

Furthermore, Russia suggested that the US contemplate reinstating direct flights and emphasized the necessity for tangible outcomes that would enhance bilateral relations for the benefit of both nations, it said.

Moscow and Washington have agreed to maintain their diplomatic communications, the statement concluded.

On Friday, Maria Zakharova, spokesperson for Russia’s Foreign Ministry, stated that officials in Istanbul "agreed on collaborative measures to ensure the uninterrupted financing of diplomatic missions in both nations and to create suitable conditions for diplomats to execute their responsibilities effectively."

In the past decade, Russia and the US have frequently expelled each other's diplomats, leading to a significant reduction in their embassy staffing levels.