Putin praises 'atmosphere of trust' with Japan
Wednesday, 13 May 2009
TOKYO, May 12 (AFP): Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin praised Tuesday what he called an "atmosphere of trust" with Japan on a visit expected to lead to key energy agreements despite a lingering territorial dispute.
The former president was joined by a high-powered business delegation for his Tokyo visit, where both sides planned to sign a nuclear energy cooperation pact and a deal on oil exploration in Siberia.
"Trade turnover is growing, the volume of direct investment is increasing, large projects, including in the sphere of energy and other areas, are being implemented," Putin told a joint business forum.
"But I think that this is a by-product of more considerable achievements, which is the creation of an atmosphere of trust."
Putin said he hoped that change in mood would help resolve a territorial dispute over an island chain that has hampered bilateral relations since World War II and stopped both countries from signing a peace treaty.
The islands, seized by Soviet troops in the war's final days, are known in Japan as the Northern Territories and in Russia as the Southern Kurils.
"It is that attitude and that joint work that will allow us to resolve global issues, including reaching a peace agreement," Putin said.
Joined by 100 business representatives, he was meeting former Japanese premiers, the main opposition party leader and corporate chiefs from both countries ahead of scheduled talks with his counterpart Taro Aso.
A judo black belt, Putin was also due to unveil a Japanese-language version of his book on the sport alongside Yasuhiro Yamashita, a world champion from Japan with whom the Russian leader has also recorded a video manual.
Stressing closer economic ties, Putin encouraged Japanese companies to ramp up their presence in his country, telling the business forum that "today no one doubts the long-term prospects of Japanese business in Russia."
The former president was joined by a high-powered business delegation for his Tokyo visit, where both sides planned to sign a nuclear energy cooperation pact and a deal on oil exploration in Siberia.
"Trade turnover is growing, the volume of direct investment is increasing, large projects, including in the sphere of energy and other areas, are being implemented," Putin told a joint business forum.
"But I think that this is a by-product of more considerable achievements, which is the creation of an atmosphere of trust."
Putin said he hoped that change in mood would help resolve a territorial dispute over an island chain that has hampered bilateral relations since World War II and stopped both countries from signing a peace treaty.
The islands, seized by Soviet troops in the war's final days, are known in Japan as the Northern Territories and in Russia as the Southern Kurils.
"It is that attitude and that joint work that will allow us to resolve global issues, including reaching a peace agreement," Putin said.
Joined by 100 business representatives, he was meeting former Japanese premiers, the main opposition party leader and corporate chiefs from both countries ahead of scheduled talks with his counterpart Taro Aso.
A judo black belt, Putin was also due to unveil a Japanese-language version of his book on the sport alongside Yasuhiro Yamashita, a world champion from Japan with whom the Russian leader has also recorded a video manual.
Stressing closer economic ties, Putin encouraged Japanese companies to ramp up their presence in his country, telling the business forum that "today no one doubts the long-term prospects of Japanese business in Russia."