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Japanese PM seeks to intensify dialogue with Russia

On September 26, Russian presidential aide Yury Ushakov told reporters that the Russian and Japanese leaders might hold a bilateral meeting during the APEC summit in China in the middle of November
Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe EPA/FRANCK ROBICHON
Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe
© EPA/FRANCK ROBICHON

TOKYO, September 30. /ITAR-TASS/. Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said on Tuesday he intended to intensify dialogue with Russia and build bilateral relations based on the national interests.

The premier told the lower house of the national parliament he intended to boost dialogue with Russia, including holding a possible meeting of the two states’ leaders at the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum’s summit in Beijing in November. He said Japan-Russia relations should be based on the national interests of both countries.

Asked about the South Kurils issue, Abe reiterated the position of the Japanese government, saying Japan would exert every effort to settle the issue of the four northern islands’ ownership and concluding a peace treaty with Russia on that basis.

On September 26, Russian presidential aide Yury Ushakov told reporters that the Russian and Japanese leaders might hold a bilateral meeting during the APEC summit in China in the middle of November. On the possible date of the Russian president’s visit to Japan, Ushakov said that the sides have not discussed the specific timeframe though diplomatic channels.