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Lawmaker notes new positive agenda forming in Japanese-Russian relations

The two countries announce wish to develop bilateral inter-parliamentary ties

Russian State Duma Speaker Sergey Naryshkin Alexander Shalgin/Russian State Duma Press Office/TASS

Russian State Duma Speaker Sergey Naryshkin

© Alexander Shalgin/Russian State Duma Press Office/TASS

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Lawmaker says views of Russia, Japan on main issues become closer

TOKYO, June 17. /TASS/. Russian State Duma Speaker Sergey Naryshkin has announced "forming a new positive agenda" in Russian-Japanese relations.

"We think that Sochi talks between the leaders of Russia and Japan on May 6 put an end to not the best times in our relations that lasted for 2.5 years. As a result, a new positive agenda is forming, and we will jointly work on implementing it," Naryshkin said at the meeting with Speaker of Japan’s House of Representatives Tadamori Oshima.

The Japanese parliament speaker said that he "would want to develop bilateral inter-parliamentary ties" between Japan and Russia. He reminded that it was agreed at the Japanese-Russian talks in Sochi that Russian President Vladimir Putin will make a visit to Japan, and that Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe will take part in the Eastern Economic Forum in Vladivostok.

"I want Putin’s visit to Japan to happen at the best time. I also hope that talks on signing a peace treaty will go as planned," he noted.

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According to the lawmaker, cooperation between Japan and Russia should develop without regard to opinions of third parties.

"We think that cooperation between Russia and Japan has its own independent value, and it is developing in the interests of the peoples of our countries. It should develop without regard to opinions of any third parties which will possibly try to sow discord in this cooperation," Naryshkin said.

The Duma speaker noted that Japan is a big country with large economy and Tokyo "should value its sovereignty and act in accordance with the interests of its people."

Naryshkin has started his official visit to Tokyo on June 16. On Thursday he met with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and discussed several bilateral issues with him. According to Kyodo news agency, he also handed a message from Russian President Vladimir Putin to Abe. The Duma speaker also held meetings with President of the Komeito party Natsuo Yamaguchi and Speaker of Japan’s House of Representatives Tadamori Oshima.

Later on Friday he will take part in the opening ceremony of the 11th Festival of Russian Culture in Japan.

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