Russia Should Accelerate Kuril Development: Medvedev

Moscow, Aug. 31 (Jiji Press)--Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev said Monday that his country should accelerate the pace of development of the Kuril Island chain, which includes four northwestern Pacific islands disputed with Japan, according to Interfax news agency. Medvedev said before a meeting with deputy prime ministers that Russia has to continue social and economic development in the island chain under the current program for 2007-2015 and its successor program for 2016-2025, the Russian news agency reported. In defiance of Japan's repeated calls for not visiting the four islands, Medvedev traveled to Etorofu, one the four, on Aug. 22 on his third travel to the four islands area called the Northern Territories in Japan. Medvedev said that he had a good impression on Etorofu, seeing progress in development, but he noted that to lure investment, no delay in Kuril development is permissible, according to Interfax. END