Japan hopes to discuss N. Korea, Syria, Iran at 2+2 talks with Russia - foreign minister

TOKYO, July 30. /TASS/. At the upcoming July 31 talks in the 2+2 format between the Japanese and Russian foreign and defense ministers Tokyo seeks to discuss the situation around North Korea, Syria and Iran, Japanese Foreign Minister Taro Kono said in an interview with TASS. "At this meeting we would like to hold talks on a broad range of issues, including this important issue as the acute international situation, in particular the situation around North Korea, Iran and Syria," said Kono, who departed for Moscow on Monday to take part in the talks. According to Kono, enhancing cooperation between Japan and Russia is important for "further building confidence between our countries in the security area." The first "2+2" Russian-Japanese meeting was held in Tokyo in November 2013. However, negotiations were frozen because of the Ukrainian crisis and Tokyo’s decision to join anti-Russian sanctions. A decision on a new meeting was made during Russian President Vladimir Putin’s visit to Japan in December 2016. It took place in Tokyo in March 2017. Read more