BEIJING, November 9. /TASS/. Russian President Vladimir Putin and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe will discuss progress in preparations of a peace treaty between the two countries and topical international problems at their meeting on the sidelines of the Asia Pacific Economic Co-operation (APEC) summit in Beijing on Sunday.
Before the meeting, Putin said that in the past several years relations between Russia and Japan “has been developing successfully both in the economic and in the political spheres.” “I mean the resumption of talks on a peace treaty too,” he noted. “In this context, I am glad at an opportunity to meet with you again to jointly analyze all aspects of bilateral cooperation.”
“I would also like to exchange views on issues related to the signing of the peace treaty, and on international relations,” the Japanese prime minister said.
The Russian leader told the Japanese prime minister he had visited a festival of Japanese martial arts in Moscow on Saturday. “It is not mere sport, it is a part of the Japanese culture, which is a good basis for the development of bilateral relations,” he said.
Shinzo Abe thanked Putin for his attention to the festival. “I think that yours understanding of Japanese martial arts as a judoist means a deeper understanding of Japan. It is a big advantage for the development and strengthening of Russian-Japanese relations,” Japan’s prime minister said, addressing the Russian leader by the first name.
TASS: Russia - Putin, Shinzo Abe to discuss signing of peace treaty between Russia and Japan
