Japanese PM vows to find acceptable solution to peace treaty issue with Russia
By Trend
Japan will try to achieve as much progress as possible in the search for a solution to the peace treaty issue that would be acceptable for both Tokyo and Moscow, Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said during parliamentary debates on Friday, Trend reports referring to TASS.
"We will work hard to advance joint efforts to find a solution acceptable for both parties and we are determined to achieve as much progress as possible concerning the peace treaty issue," he said, adding that the people of Japan and Russia would also continue to boost friendly and trust-based ties.
Abe pointed out that the Japanese city of Osaka would host the G20 summit in June, on which occasion he planned to hold talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin. In addition, the Japanese prime minister lauded the agreements the two leaders reached at their last meeting in Moscow, which particularly concern the development of projects aimed at enhancing joint economic activities on the southern Kuril Islands.
Since the mid-20th century, Russia and Japan have been holding consultations in order to clinch a peace treaty as a follow-up to World War II. The Kuril Islands issue remains the key sticking point since after WWII the islands were handed over to the Soviet Union while Japan laid claims to the four southern islands.