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Japanese foreign minister satisfied with level of trust with Russian counterpart

The recent meeting with Lavrov lasted for two and a half hours, Taro Kono said, including the "working dinner" after the joint news conference.

MOSCOW, November 26. /TASS/. Japan’s Foreign Minister Taro Kono said in an interview with TASS at the end of his visit to Moscow he has personal relations of trust with Russia’s Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov.

"It was already our third meeting with Mister Lavrov," he said. "Of course, on certain issues our positions differ, but I think we have personal relations of trust, which allow us have open exchange of opinions."

The recent meeting with Lavrov lasted for two and a half hours, he said, including the "working dinner" after the joint news conference.

In the preparations for the expected visit of Japan’s Prime Minister Shinzo Abe to Russia, the countries have planned a few events. In December, Directors of Foreign Ministries will have consultations, and in January or in February - the consultations will be at the level of foreign ministers. Later on, in spring, foreign ministers will have a meeting. "That is, we have suggested a plan for preparations for the visit to Russia of the Japanese prime minister in May, next year," the minister said.

As for the intergovernmental commission on trade and economic partnership, this time, he continued, the meeting featured ministers and businesses. "I hope, after this meeting our cooperation will make good progress in various spheres, and, first of all, in the Far East," he said.