ID :
161629
Wed, 02/16/2011 - 18:26
Auther :
Shortlink :
https://www.oananews.org//node/161629
The shortlink copeid
Kan says he still wants to visit Russia this year if possible
TOKYO, Feb. 16 Kyodo - Prime Minister Naoto Kan said Wednesday he is still interested in visiting Russia later this year, if possible, though ties between Tokyo and Moscow are in a ''very severe state'' stemming from a recently reignited territorial dispute.
''I believe that the invitation is still valid,'' Kan said in parliament in reference to Russian President Dmitry Medvedev's request last November for him to visit Russia, made during their talks on the sidelines of an Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation forum summit in Yokohama.
''If I go, there would be territorial talks and in some cases we would discuss a range of economic issues,'' Kan told a session of the lower house budget committee. ''Based on what was discussed between the foreign ministers (of Japan and Russia last week), I will seriously consider the timing and form of my visit there.''
Foreign Minister Seiji Maehara told the session that he will prepare for the visit by taking into account what kind of discussions would be possible between Japan and Russia in the near future.
Their remarks came as diplomatic ties between Japan and Russia have deteriorated over the sovereignty of four islands off Hokkaido, seized by Moscow at the end of World War II but claimed by Tokyo.
The long-standing territorial row reignited after Medvedev visited one of the four islands, Kunashiri, last November prior to the APEC summit, becoming the first Kremlin leader to travel to the disputed territory.
Since then, several senior Russian officials have traveled to the islands, despite Japan's repeated requests not to do so.
Kan triggered a backlash from Russia this month after describing Medvedev's visit to the island as an ''unforgivable outrage'' at an annual rally for the return of the islands of Etorofu, Kunashiri and Shikotan as well as the Habomai islet group.
Kan told reporters in the evening that he is fully aware that current ties between Japan and Russia are in a ''very severe state.''
But Kan said he hopes that the meeting last Friday in Moscow between Maehara and Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov would pave the way for improving relations between the two countries.
The islands are known as the Northern Territories in Japan and as the Southern Kurils in Russia. The dispute has prevented the two countries from signing an official peace treaty ending their World War II hostilities.
''I believe that the invitation is still valid,'' Kan said in parliament in reference to Russian President Dmitry Medvedev's request last November for him to visit Russia, made during their talks on the sidelines of an Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation forum summit in Yokohama.
''If I go, there would be territorial talks and in some cases we would discuss a range of economic issues,'' Kan told a session of the lower house budget committee. ''Based on what was discussed between the foreign ministers (of Japan and Russia last week), I will seriously consider the timing and form of my visit there.''
Foreign Minister Seiji Maehara told the session that he will prepare for the visit by taking into account what kind of discussions would be possible between Japan and Russia in the near future.
Their remarks came as diplomatic ties between Japan and Russia have deteriorated over the sovereignty of four islands off Hokkaido, seized by Moscow at the end of World War II but claimed by Tokyo.
The long-standing territorial row reignited after Medvedev visited one of the four islands, Kunashiri, last November prior to the APEC summit, becoming the first Kremlin leader to travel to the disputed territory.
Since then, several senior Russian officials have traveled to the islands, despite Japan's repeated requests not to do so.
Kan triggered a backlash from Russia this month after describing Medvedev's visit to the island as an ''unforgivable outrage'' at an annual rally for the return of the islands of Etorofu, Kunashiri and Shikotan as well as the Habomai islet group.
Kan told reporters in the evening that he is fully aware that current ties between Japan and Russia are in a ''very severe state.''
But Kan said he hopes that the meeting last Friday in Moscow between Maehara and Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov would pave the way for improving relations between the two countries.
The islands are known as the Northern Territories in Japan and as the Southern Kurils in Russia. The dispute has prevented the two countries from signing an official peace treaty ending their World War II hostilities.
