Tokyo, Moscow Agree To Organize Lavrov's Visit To Japan Soon - Japanese Foreign Minister
Mohammad Ali (@ChaudhryMAli88) Published February 17, 2019 | 09:15 AM
TOKYO (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 17th February, 2019) Tokyo have agreed to organize a visit of Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov to Japan soon, Japanese Foreign Minister Taro Kono told journalists on Sunday.
On Saturay, Lavrov and Kono met on the sidelines of the 55th Munich Security Conference.
"We confirmed that the next meeting of the foreign ministers of Russia and Japan will be held in Japan. An agreement was reached to organize the forthcoming visit of Mr. Lavrov to Japan," Kono said, as quoted by the Kyodo news agency.
Another agreement was reached to hold close consultations between the deputy foreign ministers of Russia and Japan, Igor Morgulov and Takeo Mori, he said.
Kono also stressed that the problem of concluding a peace treaty could not be solved overnight.
"It is impossible to solve this issue in one moment, but we are confidently moving in this direction. Since the discussions are conducted within the framework of national interests [of each of the parties], the discussions are tough.
We are in deep negotiations to reach a solution that would suit both parties," the minister added.
Russian-Japanese relations have long been complicated by the fact that the two nations never signed a permanent peace treaty after the end of World War II. The deal was never reached because of a disagreement over a group of four islands � Iturup, Kunashir, Shikotan and Habomai � that are claimed by both countries. They are collectively referred to as the Southern Kurils by Russia and the Northern Territories by Japan.
In 1956, Moscow and Tokyo signed a joint declaration that provided for the restoration of bilateral relations after the end of World War II. The Soviet Union also agreed to consider handing over two out four disputed islands � Habomai and Shikotan � to Japan.
Since Russian President Vladimir Putin's visit to Japan in December 2016, the relationship between the two nations have been improving, with the two sides agreeing to develop joint projects on the disputed islands.
Related Topics
Recent Stories
SC orders end of encroachments in Karachi
Nazish Jahangir denies viral screenshots, calls them fake
Govt likely to hike electricity price once again
Bismah Maroof announces immediate retirement from international cricket
Malala expresses unwavering support for Gaza people
Selection committee dissolved over Pakistan women cricket team's poor performanc ..
Punjab CM Maryam Nawaz in police uniform at Chung police center
Currency Rate In Pakistan - Dollar, Euro, Pound, Riyal Rates On 25 April 2024
Today Gold Rate in Pakistan 25 April 2024
Mired in crisis, Boeing reports another loss
Session Awarding Ceremony 2024 held at Cadet College Muzaffarabad
Austrian ski great Hirscher to make comeback under Dutch flag
More Stories From World
-
Portugal marks 50 years of democracy with far right on rise
2 minutes ago -
Pakistan envoy visits TomatoWorld in Netherlands
11 minutes ago -
Chinese defense minister to attend SCO meeting in Kazakhstan
12 minutes ago -
China, Pakistan should engage in greater counter-terrorism cooperation to combat hostile forces: Khu ..
12 minutes ago -
Scottish leader scraps coalition deal with Greens
12 minutes ago -
Macron, in key speech, warns that Europe 'is mortal'
12 minutes ago
-
China continues to battle flood in Pearl River basin
22 minutes ago -
Death toll from Tanzania's flash floods rises to 155: PM
32 minutes ago -
Iron ore futures close higher
42 minutes ago -
Two runaway army horses in 'serious condition': UK minister
42 minutes ago -
Myanmar's health ministry issues heat advisory amid soaring temperature
52 minutes ago -
Russian oil production facility in Siberia catches fire
52 minutes ago