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Putin says Russian-Australian relations could be more productive, mutually beneficial

The Russian president made this statement at a ceremony of presentation of credentials by foreign ambassadors, including the Australian ambassador

MOSCOW, April 20. /TASS/. Russian President Vladimir Putin has said that the potential for cooperation between Russia and Australia is not used to the full extent, particularly in economic cooperation.

"Our relations with Australia could be more productive and truly mutually beneficial, above all, in the trade and economic area," he said speaking at a ceremony of presentation of credentials by foreign ambassadors, including the Australian ambassador. "Our two countries’ business circles are directly interested in this."

Putin says he will meet with Japanese prime minister in Sochi on May 6

Russian President Vladimir Putin hopes that his meeting with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe in Sochi on May 6 will contribute to development of bilateral relations.

Developing dialogue with Japan is one of Russia’s top foreign policy priorities, Putin said on Wednesday at the ceremony of accepting credentials from foreign ambassadors.

"I hope that the working visit of (Japanese) Prime Minister Shinzo Abe planned for May 6 in Sochi will facilitate expansion of Russian-Japanese ties on the basis of mutual benefit and consideration of each other’s interests," Putin noted.

During the annual televised Q&A session officially known as "The Direct Line with Vladimir Putin" on April 14, the Russian president said Moscow welcomes the upcoming visit of Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe. "Of course, we will be discussing all problems. In order to solve them, and we have been failing to solve them since the end of WWII, it is necessary to see all the instruments we have created function constantly. I think a compromise can and will be found one day," the Russian leader said.

He said a permanent dialogue was needed for a compromise, "but at a certain stage Japan made the decision to restrict contacts with us." "In my view, this is fully at variance with interests of the Japanese state and the Japanese people," Putin went on. "But at the same time we are also seeing other things: despite pressure from their partners, in particular from the United States, our Japanese friends still seek to maintain these relations," the president concluded.

Putin urges more active cooperation between Moscow and London

More active cooperation between Moscow and London could make a contribution to the settlement of key international problems, Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Wednesday at a ceremony to accept credentials from foreign ambassadors.

"We believe the present state of a political dialog and trade-investment cooperation with Great Britain unfortunately does not meet strategic interests of both countries," Putin said. "More active cooperation of our countries on the international arena could make a positive contribution to efforts of the global community towards an efficient settlement of key problems of today," the president added.

Focusing on relations with other states, Putin said Russia was ready to expand cooperation with Gabon, and to continue training specialists for that country. Putin said Moscow would continue developing relations with Chisinau on the basis of a treaty on friendship and cooperation that marks 15 years this year.

Putin marked that diplomatic relations with Thailand were almost 120 years old, saying bilateral ties were developing on all directions, including economy, military cooperation and tourism. The Russian leader hailed cooperation with Bolivia and some other countries.

Russian President Vladimir Putin accepts credentials from 16 new foreign ambassadors on Wednesday.

Ambassadors from the United Kingdom, Japan, Gabon, Moldova, Thailand, Bolivia, India, Uzbekistan, Uruguay, Australia, Pakistan, Mongolia, Kyrgyzstan, Indonesia, the Tongolese Republic and Samoa were invited to a ceremony traditionally held in Alexander Hall of the Grand Kremlin Palace.

After presentation of the credentials to the Russian head of state, the activity of the newly arrived foreign ambassadors and permanent representatives of international organizations in Russia acquires an official status.