Moscow and Tokyo are ready for a mutually beneficial, versatile cooperation, prepared to work together and solve the most complicated problems of their two-party relationship. Vladimir Putin welcomed a Japanese delegation led by the PM Shinzo Abe in Kremlin today. All this is proof of a breakthrough in the Russian-Japanese relationship. The result of these negotiations are the agreements on the most prioritized projects including the South Kuril Islands. Denis Davydov is reporting on the important announcements from Kremlin.

Putin and Abe are on a first name basis. The politicians are old friends. This is their 17th meeting. Last time these leaders met in December 2016 when the Russian President visited Japan. I remember Shinzo's warm welcome in Japan, in your hometown. Japan is our kind neighbor and a prosperous partner. We decided to activate our relationship, our contacts, our collaborative projects. To sum it up — there's definite movement forward. I'm really glad to be meeting with Vladimir in Russia's beautiful capital. In fact, after our meeting in Nagato our relationship is growing in the right direction. Today I'd like to talk about different issues including signing the peace treaty and providing safety in the regional situation. So let's talk with restricted attendance first, and then one-on-one.

Abe insists on talking one-on-one with no delegation members, just the translators. They had such a confidential conversation in December. They discussed the issues that the 2 countries can't agree upon for over 70 years. The peace treaty. Kuril Islands are their stumbling block. For Moscow they are definitely Russia's territory. Tokyo calls them theirs, Northern Territories. Lately Japanese television has been broadcasting footage about the Kurils. Here is the footage from a supermarket. Sea urchin is marked as the product of the 4 northern islands. But in parentheses it says "Russia". The vendor complains they don't allow Japanese fishermen into the Kurils region. But there's a reason to hope for improvement.





In the winter, Putin and Abe agreed upon joint agricultural development of the Kurils. Today they stated specific steps. This summer a trip to the South Kurils will be organized for the Japanese authorities and entrepreneurs. Besides, Russia will provide a direct flight for former Japanese residents of the islands, so they could visit their ancestors' graves.

Moscow and Tokyo already have 80 joint projects. There are first results from the Russian Direct Investment Fund. For now this is seed money — a billion dollars. Japanese plan to attract over 16 billion to it. Everything's according to the plan. -Are you happy? -Yes. There are already first investors. The International Bank began crediting the arctic project on liquefaction of gases. Mitsubishi and Mazda are negotiating building factories. Power suppliers talk about building a gas pipeline in the Sakhalin-Hokkaido direction.

Russia is prepared to help Japan reconstruct the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant. We also offer the newest technologies for soil decontamination and RAW processing. Their meeting is due to the aggravation of the Korean peninsula situation. To outside attacks, North Korea responds with developing their nuclear program. We addressed the Korean peninsula situation, that, in our opinion, has unfortunately lapsed. We call upon all the countries involved in the regional situation to stay away from the military oratory and aim for a peaceful, constructive dialogue. We see it as our mutual task to renew the 6-party talks. President Putin and I decided that Russia and Japan will work together. We will appeal to North Korea to act in compliance with the UNSC resolutions and to abstain from further acts of provocation.

A large delegation came with Shinzo Abe to Moscow. Along with the PM came Ministers, entrepreneurs, and 4 dozen journalists. Everybody has their own profile. To distinguish themselves, some guests wear these armbands. While commenting on today's negotiations, political experts remember 2014, when after reuniting Crimea with Russia several countries, including Japan, imposed sanctions on Moscow. They talked a lot about isolating our country.

And now Vladimir Putin's colleagues line up for negotiations with him. For the next 2 weeks he has scheduled meetings with Germany's Chancellor, Turkish President and the leader of Palestine. This proves Russia's role in today's international relationships.