Russia prepared to consider options of resolving problem of litigious islands with Japan

LIMA, November 20. /TASS/. Russia is prepared to hold dialogue with Tokyo on various options of resolving the problem of litigious islands with Japan, President Vladimir Putin said on Monday as he addressed reporters after the end of the APEC summit in Peru. "We’re ready to hold dialogue with our Japanese partners and we tell them various options are possible," he said. Putin recalled the Soviet Union and Japan signed an appropriate document in 1956 where they agreed on a return of two islands to Japan. "However, they didn’t agree on whose sovereignty these two islands would remain under and on what terms they would be returned." "We know the position of the Japanese sides that speaks about four islands," he said, adding that all of this could be subject to talks. "Both Russia and Japan want to sign this treaty sincerely and are looking for ways to do this," Putin said. "The one thing I know firmly is the importance of supporting this will in every possible way." He believes the sides could reach an agreement on the basis of greater trust in each other. "One of the instruments for attaining this trust is expansion of cooperation," Putin said. In the light of it, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe had proposed a program for expanding economic ties. According to Putin, the program envisions a variety of projects not only on the Kurile Islands but between Russia and Japan in general. "We spoke at the last meeting about the things that could be done together on the (Southern Kurile) islands and this implies the solution of economic and some humanitarian problems," he said about his recent meeting with Shinzo Abe. "Still it’s too early to speak about it because we there are no final agreements yet." "We’ll continue our contacts at the level of Foreign Ministries (this dialogue was resumed at Japan’s request) and we also agreed on my visit to Japan on December 15-16," Putin said. "The whole set of issues will be the central item at the meeting (with the Japanese Prime Minister) and during my visit." Read more