ISTANBUL, Sept 2 (Reuters) - Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said on Tuesday Russia was not discriminating against Turkey in trade relations between the countries which have been hit by a customs dispute.

Speaking in Istanbul, where he was holding talks with his Turkish counterpart Ali Babacan, Lavrov said Russian customs authorities were working to simplify their bilateral customs system.

Turkey began curbing Russian imports on Monday as tensions over Georgia strained NATO's relations with Moscow.

The measures were in retaliation for delays Turkish exporters have suffered at Russian border crossings since NATO-member Turkey allowed two U.S. ships to transit the Bosphorus Strait to provide aid to Georgia after Moscow's military action there. (Reporting by Thomas Grove)

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