SOCHI, July 28 (Itar-Tass) —— Positions of Russia and Japan on the peace agreement are still different, but there is readiness for continuing the dialogue, Russia’s Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said following negotiations with his Japanese counterpart Koichiro Gemba on Saturday.
Lavrov said hd atmosphere of the negotiations.”
“We have discussed a series of issues on cooperation both on bilateral level and in the international arena,” the foreign minister said.
As for the peace agreement, “our positions are different still, but there is readiness to continue further negotiations on achievement of agreement and to continue a constructive dialogue,” he said. “We believe it necessary to structure the dialogue in the atmosphere of partner relations.”
“This was our fifth meeting with Koichiro Gemba, and with every time we not only try, but really make progress in better understanding of each other,” Lavrov said.
Analysts speak about certain milder statements, which used to be very strict, both from Moscow and Tokyo regarding the territory dispute and the peace agreement. The Japanese side intends to activate negotiations with Russia on the territory problems and has appointed its special envoy – former Prime Minister Yoshiro Mori. Moscow says discussion of the topic should be in “silent manner of mutual respect, and most importantly, on the background of a steady development of the entire complex of the bilateral relations,” Russia’s Foreign Ministry said.