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Abe, Putin Set Talks To End Territorial Dispute, Sign Peace Treaty
30 April 2013
Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe is in Moscow, the first such visit by a Japanese leader in ten years. After meeting with President Vladimir Putin, the two leaders announced that talks will begin immediately to finally resolve the territorial dispute over the four Northern Islands, called the Kurile Islands in Russia. The dispute, stemming from Russia’s occupation of the islands after World War II, has prevented the two nations from signing a peace treaty from that war.  In a joint statement, Abe and Russian President Vladimir Putin said the lack of a treaty was "abnormal." No details were provided, but they said they had instructed their foreign ministries to "step up contacts," and that they were determined to overcome "existing differences." Putin said the agreement "does not mean that we will solve everything tomorrow if the problem has not been solved for the past 67 years. But at least, we will continue work on this complex issue, but one that is so important for both sides." Talks will continue on economic issues, including arrangements for more oil and gas from Russia to Japan. Other reports suggest that the two leaders will establish regular "two plus two" talks between their foreign and defense ministers. The continuing conflict between Japan and China over contested islands and historical issues, which has led to the cancellation of a summit meeting between their leaders in the past weeks, will likely be affected positively by the improved relations between Japan and Russia. |