MOSCOW, March 14, /ITAR-TASS/. Secretary of the Russian Security Council Nikolai Patrushev said on Friday Russia was ready to cooperate with Japan’s Security Council, which had been recently created.

“Japan is a very important partner for Russia and it is very important that the leaders of both countries, President Vladimir Putin of Russia and Prime Minister Shinzo Abe of Japan, maintained good relationship,” Patrushev said at a meeting with Japanese counterpart.

“Our task is to help them develop relationship,” he added.

In 2012 the Russian and Japanese Security Councils signed a memorandum on mutual understanding.