Russia, Japan agree to improve ties

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MOSCOW, May 6 (Xinhua) -- Russian President Vladimir Putin and visiting Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe on Friday vowed to shore up bilateral ties in all directions after their relations have been at a low point since the Ukraine crisis.

The two sides agreed to maintain close high-level contact this year on such occasions as the Group of 20 summit and the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation forum, and to build up bilateral dialogue in all directions -- economy, trade, investment and the humanitarian sphere, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov was quoted as saying by the TASS news agency after the two leaders met in the Black Sea resort of Sochi.

Lavrov said the issue of lifting Tokyo's sanctions against Moscow was not discussed during the meeting, but he added the two sides are expected to hold consultations over a peace treaty at the level of deputy foreign ministers in June.

Russia and Japan have not signed any peace treaty mainly due to their long-held disputes over four Pacific islands.

http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2016-05/07/c_135340351.htm

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1. Russia and Japan eye Kurils deal

MOSCOW–Russia pledged to view Japan as an “important partner” in Asia-Pacific and both nations renewed efforts to settle the territorial dispute over the Kuril Islands.

As Russian President Vladimir Putin met visiting Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe on May 6 in the Russian Black Sea resort of Sochi, the meeting was not expected to mark a breakthrough in efforts to settle decades-long dispute over the Kuril Islands.

However, the top level bilateral talks lasted three hours and appeared to indicate improving atmosphere of conversation as Russia apparently departed from its earlier hard-line stance.

Putin described Japan as Russia’s “important partner” in Asia-Pacific, while Abe noted progress in bilateral relations, in accordance with the Kremlin’s press-service. After the talks, Abe mentioned a “new approach” to the territorial dispute. However, details of this new approach are yet to be disclosed.

http://atimes.com/2016/05/russia-and-japan-eye-kurils-deal/