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Japanese politician says Putin, Abe establish trust-based relations

Tokyo is hosting a Russian-Japanese forum dedicated to the 60th anniversary of restoring diplomatic relations between the two countries

Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and Russian President Vladimir Putin Mikhail Klimentyev, RIA-Novosti, Kremlin Pool Photo via AP

Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and Russian President Vladimir Putin

© Mikhail Klimentyev, RIA-Novosti, Kremlin Pool Photo via AP

TOKYO, October 17. /TASS/. Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and Russian President Vladimir Putin have been able to build trust-based relations to achieve a mutually-acceptable solution to the issue of signing a peace treaty and solve a territorial problem, Vice President of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party of Japan, Masahiko Komura, said on Monday.

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Russia, Japan revive strategic dialogue — diplomat

"Active dialogue between Japan and Russia is currently underway at the political level. Summit meetings take place on a regular basis," he said speaking at the Russian-Japanese Forum dedicated to the 60th anniversary of restoring diplomatic relations between the two countries that has opened in Tokyo.

"I welcome an agreement on Putin’s visit to Abe’s hometown (in Yamaguchi Prefecture - TASS) in December," he told the forum. "To achieve a solution to the problem of a peace treaty and resolve a territorial issue that would satisfy both sides our two countries’ leaders have built strong relations based on mutual trust."

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov emphasized in his address to the participants in the forum read out by Russian Ambassador to Japan, Yevgeny Afanasyev, that Russia would make every effort to boost relations with Japan in various fields.

"For our part, we intend to continue exerting efforts to build up cooperation, particularly in in the political, cultural, scientific and economic exchanges," the address said.

Obstacles to Russian-Japanese talks

Head of Russia’s Federation Council Committee for International Affairs Konstantin Kosachyov told the forum the leaks on the Russian-Japanese talks on the territorial issue and economic cooperation can prevent the parties from reaching the desired result.

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"I never comment on the media reports as they often are aimed at evoking some response and making conclusions based on that. I am confident that any leaks in this regard will hamper progress (in the talks)," Koshachyov explained when asked to comment on the Japanese media’s reports saying that Tokyo intended to offer Russia a plan of a joint administration of the South Kuril Islands.

"I would request Japanese and Russian journalists refrain from digging up any details since it may become another obstacle along the way to the anticipated outcome," the Russian senator added.

On Monday, Tokyo is hosting a Russian-Japanese forum dedicated to the 60th anniversary of restoring diplomatic relations between the two countries after signing the 1956 Soviet-Japanese Joint Declaration. The event will end with signing a joint communique.

In early September, Russian President Vladimir Putin and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe held a meeting in Vladivostok during the Eastern Economic Forum agreeing to intensify talks. They decided to meet again at the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit in Peru in November.

Currently, Moscow and Tokyo are getting ready for President Putin’s visit to Japan scheduled for December. Besides, Japanese Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida is expected to visit Russia in October, while speaker of Russia’s Federation Council (upper house of parliament) Valentina Matviyenko may pay a visit to Tokyo in early November. A meeting of the bilateral Intergovernmental Commission on Trade and Economic Issues with the participation of Russia’s First Deputy Prime Minister Igor Shuvalov is to be held in Tokyo in November.

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