TOKYO, November 2. /TASS/. Moscow expects Tokyo to consider lifting of anti-Russia sanctions, Russia’s Federation Council Speaker Valentina Matviyenko said at the meeting with Japan’s Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry Hiroshige Seko on Wednesday.
"Hopefully, the Japanese side will consider the issue of lifting of restrictions, sanctions imposed against Russia," she said.
According to Matviyenko, sanctions affect the development of economic cooperation between the two countries and hinder the expansion of mutual trade turnover, which has been decreasing over the past two years. "This is unbeneficial both for Russia and Japan. We hope that your visit will result in assuming additional measures aimed at reviving the positive dynamics of trade and economic ties," she said hinting at the upcoming visit of Hiroshige Seko to Russia.
Speaking with journalists, Federation Council Speaker said Japan is likely to eventually lift its sanctions against Russia, which she said were imposed as a wish to "associate itself" with the Unites States and the European Union regarding the Ukrainian issue.
"The Japanese are very well aware of the fact that those restrictions obviously affect the volumes of our mutual trade, our economic cooperation. I think there is an understanding that if we continue moving towards the formation of the climate of confidence and implementation of our leaders’ agreements, the topic will shrink to a nullity," Matviyenko said.