ANTALYA, November 15. /TASS/. Trade and economic relations and possible bilateral contacts were in focus of a meeting between Russian President Vladimir Putin and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe on the sidelines of the Group of Twenty summit in Turkey’s Antalya, Russian president’s press secretary Dmitry Peskov said on Sunday.

"They exchanged views on a number of current issues of bilateral relations, primarily on trade and economic cooperation," he said. "Putin expressed regret over reducing trade between the two countries. At the same time, he noted that Japanese companies are not losing interest [to Russia] in the current conditions." Moreover, he noted, Japanese companies were looking at new projects in Russia.

"The sides also spoke about cooperation within the United Nations Security Council with due account of Japan’s status of a non-permanent member, discussed [the Russian leadere’s] visit to Japan. Putin and Abe agreed to continue work to agree the date of this visit via diplomatic channels so that it could take place in a foreseeable future," Peskov said.

"Putin said he would be glad to see the Japanese prime minister in any of the Russian regions," he added.