Photo:
2017 AFP / Behrouz Mehri
Appointed Minister of foreign Affairs of Japan three weeks ago, Taro Kono believes that to solve bilateral problems between Russia and Japan should be flexible in thinking. This view he expressed in an interview with the newspaper “Yomiuri”.
“In Sino-Russian relations remain (unfulfilled) homework assignment is to conclude a peace Treaty, resolving the question of territorial belonging of the four Islands (Kunashir, Shikotan, Iturup, Habomai) — which lasts three generations, from my grandfather who had to negotiate the normalization of relations with the Soviet Union to me. We need to show flexibility of thinking, including ways of action which were not in hitherto existing approaches, and to see if there is something to do. I would like to visit Russia on a visit in some time,” said the Minister.
Japan claims the Islands of Etorofu, Kunashiri, Shikotan and Habomai, referring to bilateral Treatise on trade and borders of 1855. The return of the Islands Tokyo made it a condition of signing a peace Treaty with Russia, which after the Second world war and was not signed. The position of Moscow consists that southern Kuriles became part of the Soviet Union at the end of the Second world war and the Russian sovereignty over them with appropriate international legal design, not subject to doubt.
Kono spoke also sharp for Japan, the issues of development of nuclear and missile programs, stressing the importance of the actions taken in early August, the sanctions of the UN security Council against this country and the need to block North Korea all flows of financing missile and nuclear programs.
“It is important that the sanctions are respected. It is believed that there are various ways of circumventing the sanctions. I think the most effective would be how you should close all sources and stop the cash flow to the DPRK,” said the Japanese Minister.
The UN security Council adopted on 5 August a new resolution prohibiting the import of coal, iron ore and seafood from North Korea after two tests in July of ballistic missiles, which, according to Pyongyang, can fly to the United States. According to the calculations of Americans, the full implementation of sanctions against the DPRK would reduce the annual foreign exchange earnings in Pyongyang, components now about $ 3 billion, one-third.