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Moscow to discuss US missile shield deployment to Asia-Pacific region with Tokyo

Russia also expects to discuss a range of other issues related to security

MOSCOW, March 17. /TASS/. Russian Foreign and Defense Ministers Sergey Lavrov and Sergey Shoigu will outline Moscow’s assessments on the deployment of US missile defense system to the Asia-Pacific region at the meeting with their Japanese counterparts in the 2+2 format in Tokyo on March 20, Russia’s Foreign Ministry said.

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"We will also discuss measures on enhancing trust between Russia and Japan in defense and security areas and present our assessments to partners on the deployment of elements of the US global missile defense system to the Asia-Pacific region," the ministry said.

Russia also expects to discuss a range of other issues related to security. "We plan to detail to the Japanese side Russia’s principal approaches to forming the new security architecture in the Asia-Pacific region based on off-bloc approaches and taking into consideration the concerns of all regional parties," it said.

The Foreign Ministry also expressed readiness for dialogue with Tokyo on the possibility of stepping up joint efforts in the fight against international terrorism and drug trafficking.

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