MOSCOW, August 21. /TASS/. Head of the State Duma Security and Anti-Corruption Committee Irina Yarovaya has dismissed Tokyo’s claims in connection with the possible visit of Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev to the Kuril Islands as emotional and unfounded. She thus commented on the statement of Japan’s Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga who called the possible trip of the Russian premier to the Kuril Islands unacceptable.

"The statement of the Chief Cabinet Secretary of Japan is unethical, to say the least, since, on the one hand, this is an intrusion into the actions of the Russian authorities on their legitimate and sovereign territory," the lawmaker said. "On the other hand, this is disregard for the feelings of Russian citizens, especially in the Far East."

The socio-economic development of the Russian Far East reflects "the direct interests of our citizens and the national strategy," Yarovaya said. "Therefore, creating artificial obstacles in the form of outside political pressure is unacceptable."

"Russia has always adhered to the norms of international law and is entitled to expect other countries not to follow the path of emotional and illegal claims," she added.

Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev said on July 23 that he planned to re-visit the Kuril Islands and recommended his colleagues in the Cabinet to follow his lead. On August 17 Medvedev said that he intended to visit the youth forum in the Kuril Islands. "A forum is underway in the Far East, in the Kuril Islands, a very interesting and milestone event, if I have a chance, I will attend it too," he said.