"We understand that you are only at the very start. We want the resumed talks to assume stability," news agencies quoted Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov as telling Saeb Erakat at the start of their meeting.

"We want the negotiations to achieve the result that we are all after -- a final settlement, including all the issues concerning final status, so that a Palestinian state emerges that lives in peace and security together with … other nations," Lavrov said.

"Considering the lengthy pause we saw in the negotiating process, we find it especially important to strengthen trust between the two sides," Lavrov said.

Palestinians and the Zionist regime officials held their latest talks in al-Quds on Tuesday after conducting a first round of negotiations on August 14.

No details about the meetings have been disclosed due to a request from Washington for a strict news blackout.

Russia is a member of the Middle East peace Quartet that along with the United States also includes the European Union and the United Nations.

The long-awaited return to peace talks was overshadowed by a new row over Israeli settlement plans for the occupied Palestinian territories.

Lavrov made no direct mention of the settlement issue but at the same time praised the Palestinians for showing "restraint."

NJF/NJF