Japan-N. Korea Summit Possible in Sept.: Russian Envoy

Tokyo, June 21 (Jiji Press)--Russian Ambassador to Japan Mikhail Galuzin suggested on Thursday that a summit between Japan and North Korea in Vladivostok in Russia's Far East in September could be possible. As to whether North Korean leader Kim Jong Un will visit the Russian city in September, Galuzin said in a speech at the Canon Institute for Global Studies in Tokyo that nothing has been decided, but it is one option. If Kim visits Vladivostok, a meeting between him and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe may be held in the city, Galuzin said. Abe is expected to visit Vladivostok to attend a meeting of the Eastern Economic Forum, to be held there on Sept. 11-13. Russia has reportedly invited Kim to take part in the forum meeting. Galuzin also said that he plans to help create a favorable environment toward the conclusion of a peace treaty between Russia and Japan. The envoy quoted Abe as saying in a speech during his visit to Russia last month that one of his dreams is to see Japan and Russia face off in the final match of the FIFA World Cup someday. In the ongoing soccer World Cup in Russia, the host country, which had been forecast to be eliminated in the group stage, has advanced to the last-16 knockout round, while Japan, which is 61st in the FIFA world rankings, upset 16th-ranking Colombia in a group stage match, Galuzin noted, adding that the prime minister's dream is a step closer to reality. Galuzin said he wants to talk about more such positive bilateral topics. Tokyo and Moscow have still been unable to conclude a bilateral peace treaty to formally end their World War II hostilities, due to their longstanding territorial dispute over four northwestern Pacific islands that were seized by the former Soviet Union from Japan at the end of the war. END