- Title: Japan's Abe and Russia's Putin hold talks in Sochi
- Date: 6th May 2016
- Summary: SOCHI, RUSSIA (MAY 6, 2016) (REUTERS) RUSSIAN PRESIDENT VLADIMIR PUTIN AND JAPANESE PRIME MINISTER SHINZO ABE ENTERING ROOM FOR TALKS (SOUNDBITE) (Russian) RUSSIAN PRESIDENT, VLADIMIR PUTIN, SAYING: "Japan is not just our neighbour, but our partner, an important partner in the Asia-Pacific region for us." MEETING IN PROGRESS (SOUNDBITE) (Russian) RUSSIAN PRESIDENT, VLADIMIR PUTIN, SAYING: "For known reasons both in politics and in trade and economic relations we have certain issues that require special attention. (OVER WIDE OF PUTIN SPEAKING) So probably because of this we should devote special attention to building our relations and supporting them on a high level." (SOUNDBITE) (Russian) RUSSIAN PRESIDENT, VLADIMIR PUTIN, SAYING: "We see your visit, Mr. Prime Minister, as an opportunity to work together on all the issues which are of a mutual interest." MEDIA (SOUNDBITE) (Japanese) JAPANESE PRIME MINISTER SHINZO ABE, SAYING (ACCORDING TO OFFICIAL TRANSLATION): "Since the meeting on the highest level in September last year our bilateral relations have been moving forward actively." MEMBERS OF JAPANESE DELEGATION LISTENING (SOUNDBITE) (Japanese) JAPANESE PRIME MINISTER SHINZO ABE, SAYING (ACCORDING TO OFFICIAL TRANSLATION): "By the way in April a meeting took place between (Japanese Foreign Minister Fumio) Kishida and (Russian Foreign Minister Sergei) Lavrov who is present today. And I was told that it was fruitful in terms of preparation for our meeting today in Sochi." RUSSIAN DELEGATION LISTENING (SOUNDBITE) (Japanese) JAPANESE PRIME MINISTER SHINZO ABE, SAYING (ACCORDING TO OFFICIAL TRANSLATION): "Moreover we had good dialogues with you not only during the U.N. General Assembly and G20 as well as over the phone. I appreciate such contacts a lot." PUTIN LISTENING (SOUNDBITE) (Japanese) JAPANESE PRIME MINISTER SHINZO ABE, SAYING (ACCORDING TO OFFICIAL TRANSLATION): "Today I would like to have an open exchange of opinions with Vladimir (Putin) on not only on bilateral tasks like politics - including the issue of a peace agreement - as well as diplomacy, economy and culture, but also important international issues facing us and the whole world. " MEETING IN PROGRESS
- Embargoed: 21st May 2016 17:34
- Keywords: Russia Japan Vladimir Putin Shinzo Abe Kurile Islands
- Location: SOCHI, RUSSIA
- City: SOCHI, RUSSIA
- Country: Russia
- Topics: Government/Politics
- Reuters ID: LVA0014GO7PDZ
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text: Russian President Vladimir Putin met Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe on Friday (May 6) in the Russian Black Sea resort of Sochi.
Talks over the Kurile islands, seized by the Soviet Union from Japan at the end of World War Two were expected to be high on the agenda of the meeting.
The dispute is so acrimonious that Moscow and Tokyo have still not signed a formal peace treaty after the war.
"For known reasons both in politics and in trade and economic relations we have certain issues that require special attention. So probably because of this we should devote special attention to building our relations and supporting them on a high level," said Putin.
"Today I would like to have an open exchange of opinions with Vladimir (Putin) on not only on bilateral tasks like politics - including the issue of a peace agreement - as well as diplomacy, economy and culture, but also important international issues facing us and the whole world," said Abe.
In October last year Russia announced plans to build a military base on the Kurile islands, a move likely to worsen already frayed relations with Tokyo which lays claim to the Southern Kuriles, known in Japan as the Northern Territories.
Moscow has angered Tokyo in recent years by having state officials visit the island chain and stepping up military activities there. Japan says the islands are part of its territory and wants Moscow to hand them over. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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