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Lavrov: joint projects with Japan to bring relations to new level

"This year is unprecedented in the active contacts, including at the top level," Russia's Foreign Minister said

MOSCOW, December 3. /TASS/. Russia and Japan continue the work on the priority projects, implementation of which will bring the relations to a new level, Russia's Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said at the beginning of a meeting with Japan's Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida on Saturday.

"This year is unprecedented in the active contacts, including at the top level, and in the range of directions and cooperation, which we discuss and agree," Lavrov said. "We continue working on the so-called Shinzo Abe Plan of eight items, and also on the Russian list of priority projects."

"Implementation of those will bring our relations to a new level," Lavrov said.

He continued, saying the upcoming talks (on Saturday) will be aimed at progress in all directions, which have been outlined by the leaders - Vladimir Putin and Shinzo Abe.

"Our talks today are practically a finalizing stage in preparations for the visit of Russian president to japan," Lavrov said. "I am adamant - both delegations realize the responsibility for constructive work.".

Japan appreciates cooperation with Russia on international issues

Japan appreciates cooperation with Russia on international issues, including on the DPRK, Fumio Kishida said in the beginning of a meeting with Sergei Lavrov.

He said, this year, Moscow and Tokyo had close contacts at different levels. "This is our third meeting this year," the Japanese minister said. "I appreciate that we together with Sergei [Lavrov] cooperate closely not only on bilateral, but also on international issues, like North Korea," he said.

"It is less than two weeks now before the meeting of Russia’s President Vladimir Putin to Japan," Kishida said. "I pay special attention to today’s meeting as a finalizing stage of preparations for this event."

"I hope, today we shall have discussions on bilateral issues," he continued. "I also plan to have an open exchange of views on the international issues like North Korea, Syria and Ukraine.".