Japan and Russia to continue consultations on South Kurile

Japan and Russia will continue consultations on South Kurile Islands at the level of ministers’ deputies, Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said. At the meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Thursday, Abe said, “We intend to hold consultations in the future.” Putin and Abe also agreed that Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu would visit Japan on November 1-2 to meet his counterparts within the 2+2 format. Moscow hopes that such format will be useful for further development of cooperation. The Japanese premier conveyed sympathies to the Russian president on the flood in the Far East. “I sincerely wish the soonest recovery under your leadership,” Abe said. He also wished the success to Russia in holding the winter Olympic Games 2014 in Sochi. Commenting on the situation in Syria, the Japanese premier said the use of chemical weapons was unforgettable. “We intend to closely cooperate with the world community, including with Russia,” Abe said. Putin said Russia and Japan intensified trade and strengthen cooperation in many fields. Japan considers the South Kurile Islands its own territories and refuses to sign a peace treaty with Russia for this reason.