Tokyo to offer package of proposals on joint economic activities in Southern Kurils as consultations with Russia

TOKYO, March 16. /TASS/. Japan’s government has drafted a final package of proposals to be offered for consideration at the first bilateral consultations with Russia on joint economic activities in Southern Kuril Islands, Yomiuri Shimbun said on Thursday. The package includes proposals on the organization of holiday cruise voyages in the area, sea-urchin and scallop breeding, and remote medical services to local residents via the internet. Apart from that, Tokyo wants to look at joint projects on the development of port facilities and construction of hotels. For more detailed consideration of these project, Tokyo plans to propose an idea of joint survey of the island’s waters. Consultations will be held in the Japanese capital city on March 18 and involve deputy foreign ministers. Russian President Vladimir Putin’s visit to Japan in December 2016 yielded as agreement on the launch of consultations on joint economic activities in Southern Kuril Islands. The sides agreed that such activities are to be conducted without prejudice to the countries’ positions on the ownership of these islands. Read more