Moscow, 25 July: Russia is hoping for positive results from the forthcoming consultations on missile defence with the USA in Washington, a representative of the Russian Foreign Ministry's information and press department said.

"We are hoping for positive results from the meeting on 30-31 July," he said.

He said the Russian delegation, which will include diplomats and officials from the Defence Ministry, will be headed by Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Kislyak.

"On instructions from the presidents of both countries, the delegations will exchange positions, which are well known. They will exchange opinions and possibilities for finding a conclusion to the issue of ABM [defence]," the diplomat said.

The forthcoming interdepartmental meeting in Washington will have "considerable political significance, as ABM [defence] is one of the main international topics". [Passage omitted].