Lavrov, Japanese parliament chairman discuss strengthening of relations.

MOSCOW, October 12 (Itar-Tass) - Russian Foreign Minister Sergei
Lavrov met with visiting President of the House of Councillors (Japan
parliament) Satsuki Eda on Monday for talks on the strengthening of
relations between the two countries.

Lavrov said the Japanese official's visit "proves of the strengthening
of the Russian-Japanese political dialogue in compliance with the
agreements reached between Russian President Dmitry Medvedev and Japanese
Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama in New York on September 23", the Russian
Foreign Ministry reported.
The top-ranking officials discussed the development of relations
between Russia and Japan, including inter-parliamentary exchanges, as well
as key international issues. They also "expressed readiness to step up
bilateral relations in all directions", the ministry said.
-0-yur