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Japan’s economy minister praises cooperation with Russia

Tokyo and Moscow are successfully implementing a plan for economic cooperation proposed by Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, the minister said

MOSCOW, January 21. /TASS/. Tokyo and Moscow are successfully implementing a plan for economic cooperation proposed by Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, Japan’s Minister of Economy, Trade, and Industry Hiroshige Seko said at a meeting with his Russian counterpart Maxim Oreshkin.

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"Prime Minister Abe proposed eight points of cooperation with Russia, for the third year already, as we are working on the implementation of this plan. I would like to note the great result of our work - we have managed to create various projects that were useful for both our nations. Today we see how success stories are born. We need to continue creating projects that would involve the advantages of our countries," the minister said.

In particular, last month, ten-year bonds of Gazprom were issued for 65 bln yen ($574 mln) at a rate of 1.01% per annum with a guarantee of the Japanese Bank for international cooperation, Seko said. He also mentioned the participation of Japanese companies in the management of the Khabarovsk airport in Russia’s Far East.

"On the eve of the meeting of our leaders, I hope we will discuss how we can deepen our relations and consider how the plan is implemented," Seko said.

The development of economic cooperation between the two countries is based in the eight-point plan proposed by Abe in May 2016. The document implies the strengthening of relations in such areas as energy, small and medium business, industrialization of the Far East, expansion of the export base and tourism. It also includes a proposal to strengthen cooperation in the field of advanced technologies, including nuclear energy, and in the field of humanitarian exchanges. As previously reported, more than 60 out of 150 projects covered by the plan are already on the stage of intensive implementation.

Earlier, the Kremlin’s press service announced that the talks between Russian President Vladimir Putin and Abe will be held in Moscow on January 22. Putin and Abe are expected to consider the conclusion of a peace treaty between Russia and Japan. The Kremlin noted that Abe will be in Russia on a working visit at the invitation of the head of the Russian state.

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