Kerry gives Lavrov two potatoes prior to Paris talks

FRANCE : The talks between Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry were held at the residence of the U.S. ambassador in Paris on Monday.

First, reporters

have been invited to the protocol part of the meeting - the ministers smiled and shook hands, then after a minute, Kerry thanked journalists and asked them to leave.

Then reporters were suddenly invited to attend the beginning of the meeting. Kerry said that Lavrov and he spoke to one another several weeks ago and planned to discuss Syria.

Then, the Secretary of State took two potatoes from a big cardboard box and gave them to the Russian minister causing laughter by the two delegations.

The potatoes that were given are from the state of Idaho, where Kerry recently visited.

Russian Foreign Ministry Press and Information Department Deputy Director Maria Zakharov posted on her Facebook account regarding this: "I hope that this is a good sign."

The negotiations to follow were held behind closed doors and Arab League and UN Representative for Syria Lakhdar Brahimi joined Kerry and Lavrov a little later.

AFP