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Japanese prime minister vows to continue talks on peace treaty with Russia

For decades, Moscow and Tokyo have been negotiating a peace treaty after World War II, with the status of the southern part of the Kuril Islands as the main stumbling block

Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe EPA-EFE/FRANCK ROBICHON

Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe

© EPA-EFE/FRANCK ROBICHON

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Lavrov names conditions for successful talks with Japan

TOKYO, February 10. /TASS/. Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has vowed to continue negotiations with Russia with the aim of signing a peace treaty.

"The issue that has remained unresolved for over 70 years, should not be passed on to future generations," Abe said on Sunday. "I am full of resolve to put an end to this problem by our joint efforts with [Russian] President Putin. I want to continue negotiations on the peace treaty," he noted.

For decades, Moscow and Tokyo have been negotiating a peace treaty after World War II. The main stumbling block is the status of the southern part of the Kuril Islands. After World War II, the whole archipelago became part of the Soviet Union. However, Tokyo disputes Russia's sovereignty over Iturup, Kunashir and Shikotan Islands as well as a number of smaller uninhabited islands called the Habomai Islands in Japan.

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Vladimir Putin Japan Shinzo Abe Dispute over Kuril Islands

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