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Top Japanese diplomat hopes dialogue with Lavrov will put peace deal within reach

Taro Kono stressed that, in light of this forward-looking approach, "the role of the dialogue between the Japanese and Russian foreign ministers is very important"

Japanese Foreign Minister Taro Kono and Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, 2017 AP Photo/Pavel Golovkin

Japanese Foreign Minister Taro Kono and Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, 2017

© AP Photo/Pavel Golovkin

TOKYO, July 30. /TASS/. Japanese Foreign Minister Taro Kono has expressed the hope that his dialogue with his Russian counterpart Sergey Lavrov will bring the signing of a peace treaty between the two countries closer.

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Japan hopes for progress in peace treaty talks with Russia, official says

"By continuing consistent and frank dialogue with Minister [Sergey] Lavrov I would like, step by step, to approach our common goal of signing a peace treaty," the top Japanese diplomat who travelled to Russia on Monday to take part in the two-plus-two negotiations between the two countries’ foreign and defense ministers told TASS.

He stressed that, in light of this forward-looking approach, "the role of the dialogue between the Japanese and Russian foreign ministers is very important."

Russia and Japan have been in talks to sign a peace treaty since the mid-20th century. The main stumbling block to achieving this is the ownership of the Southern Kuril Islands. After the end of World War II, the Kuril Islands were incorporated into the Soviet Union. However, the ownership of Iturup, Kunashir, Shikotan Islands and the Habomai Islands is being challenged by Japan. The Russian Foreign Ministry has stated on numerous occasions that Russia’s sovereignty over the islands cannot be challenged.

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