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Moscow calls ‘nervous’ Japanese reaction to South Kurils visit of Patrushev

These islands are the Russian territory, and Russia’s sovereignty over them “is not subject to doubts or discussion,” the ministry said

MOSCOW, September 13 (Itar-Tass) —— The Russian Foreign Ministry has called ‘nervous’ the Japanese reaction to the South Kurils visit of Russian Security Council Secretary Nikolai Patrushev.

“Moscow is surprised with the nervous reaction of Tokyo to the recent working trip of the Russian Security Council Secretary to the South Kuril Islands and the statements by Japanese officials, who said the trip disagreed with the Japanese position and caused regret,” the ministry said.

These islands are the Russian territory, and Russia’s sovereignty over them “is not subject to doubts or discussion,” the ministry said. “Therefore, visits of Russian official representatives to these islands are an internal affair of this country, and any ‘external’ opinions are inappropriate.”

The ministry took notice of the pledge of Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda to work on partnership with Russia in the Asia Pacific region. “We expect this statement to develop into practical deeds and a weighted and constructive approach to Russian-Japanese relations,” the ministry said.