Vladimir Putin and Shinzo Abe
Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said that during the talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin, held in December, expressed his displeasure in connection with the strengthening of the Russian military presence on the Kuril Islands. As reported TASS, the head of the Japanese government said Monday, January 23, in a speech in Parliament.
“I can’t reveal all the contents of our conversation [with President Putin] However, I made it clear to the Russian side that we regret in connection with the strengthening of its military presence on the four Northern Islands,” said Abe.
Japanese Prime Minister also said that Tokyo intends to continue negotiations with Moscow to create special conditions for joint economic activities on Southern Kuriles. “We support the continuation of negotiations on this subject and economic projects that will benefit both parties,” he said.
20 January, Abe said that the improvement of relations between the two countries is important from the point of view of security in northeast Asia. He also announced the visit to Russia “soon as possible”, acknowledging that the decision of the Kuril issue, which Tokyo links with the peace agreement, is no easy task.
During Putin’s trip to Japan in December 2016 was agreed the document on the beginning of consultations on joint economic activities of two countries in the South Kuril Islands.
Proposals for cooperation between the countries will provide to the President in early 2017. Vice-Premier, the Plenipotentiary of the head of state in the far East Yuri Trutnev said that at the current stage, we are not talking about specific economic projects, and the design of the cooperation.
After the Second world war between Moscow and Tokyo have not signed a peace Treaty. The main obstacle is the unresolved dispute over the southern Kuril Islands: Iturup, Kunashir, Shikotan and the Habomai group.