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Russia and Japan will exchange opinion on prospects for concluding a peace treaty

Japanese Foreign Minister favours development of bilateral ties with Russia

Photo ITAR-TASS

Photo ITAR-TASS

TOKYO, January 28 (Itar-Tass) — Japanese Foreign Minister Koichiro Gamba favoured on Saturday the development of relations with Russia in all spheres as a partner in the Asia-Pacific region.

He expressed this idea at a meeting with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov who is now at the Tokyo reception house.

“I hope,” said the Japanese minister, ”that our countries will develop their relations in all spheres as partners in the Asia-Pacific region. I’d like to speak how we can deepen our relations in future.”

In turn, the Russian minister replied that Moscow and Tokyo had already established an active dialogue at various levels.”The leaders of our countries set the tune in this question,” Lavrov noted, “and they agreed to continue gradual development of relations in all spheres.”

In this connection, Lavrov invited his Japanese counterpart to visit Russia in a convenient time for him.

It is expected that the sides will examine the entire range of bilateral relations at the Saturday talks and acute international issues. For instance they will discuss energy cooperation, including construction of a new complex of liquefied gas near Vladivostok.

The sides will also exchange opinion on prospects for concluding a peace treaty, although it is difficult to expect a breakthrough in this sphere over persisting differences in opinions on the problem of the South Kuriles. The ministers will also discuss the situation around the Korean Peninsula and Iran.

The signing of an agreement is expected by the results of talks on softening the visa regime between Russia and Japan.

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