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Japan, Russia have everything to become natural partners - Foreign Minister Taro Kono

"Japan and Russia from the point of view of regional relations and from the point of view of international relations have all opportunities for becoming natural partners," Taro Kono said

MOSCOW, November 26. /TASS/. Russia and Japan have everything necessary to become natural partners, their close cooperation could help in making an input in stability of the international community, Japan’s Foreign Minister Taro Kono said in an interview with TASS at the end of his visit to Moscow.

"First of all, I am very sorry that more than 70 years after World War II is over our countries still do not have a peace treaty. Japan and Russia from the point of view of regional relations and from the point of view of international relations have all opportunities for becoming natural partners. Close relations between the countries may make an input in stability of both regional and the entire international communities," he said.

"After end of the Cold War, Russia and Japan stopped being threats for each other," the minister continued. "Under these conditions, the close cooperation between Russia and japan in security makes an input in peace and stability in the region."

Taro Kono said about continuing joint event between the Japanese self-defense force and the Russian military. He mentioned joint drills in search and rescue operations at sea. Russia’s chief commander of the Land Forces and chief of the staff are to visit Japan before the year-end.

"We have agreed to cooperate closely in fighting the non-traditional threats like terrorism, drug trafficking, money laundering," the foreign minister said. "This time, we have agreed to add to the list cooperation in fighting corruption."

The Japanese foreign minister spoke positively about a new "two-plus-two" meeting between foreign and defense ministers. Taro Kono expressed hope it could be organized in the coming year.

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