Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov (R) welcomes Foreign Minister of Qatar Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al-Thani during their meeting in Moscow on June 10, 2017. (AFP PHOTO)

MOSCOW, June 10 (Xinhua) -- Qatar and its neighboring countries should end their ongoing disputes through dialogue, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said Saturday.

"We advocate that any contradictions should be resolved at the negotiating table through a mutually respectful, equal dialogue," Lavrov said during a meeting with visiting Qatari Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani.

The two foreign ministers discussed current issues over the Middle East, with a focus on the recent sharp worsening of relations between Qatar and a number of other states in the region, according to a statement released by the Russian Foreign Ministry.

Eight Gulf Arab countries have cut their diplomatic ties with Qatar since Monday over allegations that the latter is pursuing policies that are "destabilizing" the region, including support for regional terrorist groups and for Iran.

Reiterating Russia's firm stance on non-interference in the internal affairs of sovereign countries, Lavrov said Moscow is sincerely interested in ensuring that international contradictions and disagreements are resolved through dialogue, the removal of concerns and mutual consideration of interests.

Meanwhile, consolidation of efforts in fighting terrorism and countering other challenges and threats should not be hampered, he added.

Key aspects of the further development of Russia-Qatar relations, including regular political dialogues, trade and economic cooperation, and cultural and people-to-people contacts, were also touched upon, the statement said.