Japan: it has not been possible to overcome disagreements with Russia on the Peace Treaty
Japanese Foreign Minister Taro Kono said that it has not been possible to overcome disagreements with Russia on the Peace Treaty.
At the same time, the Taro Kono noted that the country is strategically interested in solving the problem and "becoming real partners." The parties continue to meet regularly to this end and are "sparing no effort to negotiate."
In return, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said that the agreement on the Kurile Islands could be made "only as a result of long work" and only after "relations between Moscow and Tokyo will advance to a qualitatively new level."
"This is not an easy task, it is obvious that it can be solved only through long and painstaking creative work," Lavrov admitted.
He added that talks between foreign Ministers and Defense Ministers of both countries will be held in Tokyo on May 30. At the end of June, a Russian-Japanese summit will be held in the Japanese city of Osaka.