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RIA Novosti
The Russian defense Minister, army General Sergei Shoigu noted progress in Russian-Japanese relations, noting that the strengthening of defence ties between the two countries should not lag behind the dynamics of political contacts.
“Despite the difficulties, the cooperation between our countries is developing consistently,” — said Shoigu on Monday during a meeting with Japan’s defense Minister Tomomi Indoi.
According to the head of the Russian military Department, “in 2016, the bilateral relations have intensified”. “It is important that we managed to secure the progressive nature of their development”, — said Shoigu.
He recalled that at the end of last year was the official visit of Russian President Vladimir Putin to Japan. “According to the results there was signed a large number of documents concerning different spheres of cooperation. In accordance with the decision of the December summit on the deepening of relations in the field of politics and security today, we will resume consultations in the format “2+2″. It is important that the strengthening of defence ties was not behind the dynamics of political contacts,” — said the head of the defense Ministry.
Shoigu thanked Inado for the invitation to visit Japan and the hospitality.
“The current visit of the Russian delegation in Tokyo… coincided with the beginning of cherry blossom. The first round of dialogue “2+2″ was held in November 2013, in the season of red maples. Now we can say we saw the two most wonderful time of the year in Japan. Hope it will be a good tradition”, he added.
Earlier on Monday, Shoigu laid a wreath at the monument to servicemen of the Japanese self-defense Forces who died in the line of duty in time of peace.