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Japan seeks closer economic cooperation with Russia - Shikata

Japan also “supports and welcomes” Russia’s accession to the World Trade Organization, he said

HONOLULU, November 13 (Itar-Tass) — Japan plans to discuss the territorial issue “in the context of existing agreements and documents,” Japan’s Deputy Cabinet Secretary for Public Affairs, Noriyuki Shikata, told Itar-Tass at a news conference on the sidelines of the APEC summit in Honolulu.

He underlined that such approach of the Japanese side was confirmed at the meeting of the two countries’ foreign ministers and will be maintained at the one-to-one talks of the Japanese and Russian leaders.

At the same time Shikata noted that “we believe that we should be able to achieve progress on the basis of the previous agreements and the principles of law and justice.”

The Japanese diplomat confirmed that Tokyo is looking forward to the visit of Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov. High on the talks’ agenda will be not only the territorial issue, but also “cooperation in energy and resource development in Russia’s Siberia and Far Eastern regions.”

Shikata added that Tokyo “is very interested in closer economic cooperation” with Russia, taking into consideration Russia’s presidency of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit in 2012.

Japan also “supports and welcomes” Russia’s accession to the World Trade Organization, he said.