Abe, Putin to continue bilateral cooperation

NHK -- Mar 20

The leaders of Japan and Russia have reaffirmed cooperation on planned joint economic projects on Russian-controlled islands claimed by Japan.

Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and Russian President Vladimir Putin talked over the phone on Monday, following Putin's victory in the presidential election.

They agreed to move forward with preparations for projects on the islands. The Japanese government hopes they will be a step toward a peace treaty between the 2 countries.

Abe and Putin also agreed to make it easier for Japanese citizens who used to live on the islands to visit the graves of their ancestors, such as by allowing them to fly there. Russia controls the 4 islands. Japan claims them. The Japanese government maintains the islands are an inherent part of Japan's territory. It says the islands were illegally occupied after World War Two.

Abe and Putin also discussed North Korea. They agreed to closely cooperate on the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula.

They also spoke about the recent nerve agent attack on a former Russian spy and his daughter in Britain. Abe told Putin the use of chemical weapons is unacceptable. He said the most important thing is to get to the bottom of what happened.

Abe plans to visit Russia in May and hold talks with Putin.

Mar 20 (ANNnewsCH) - 安倍総理大臣は早速、プーチン大統領と電話首脳会談を行い、再選への祝意を伝えたうえで、北方領土問題の進展に向けて意見交換を行いました。 安倍総理とプーチン大統領は領土問題について、四島での共同経済活動や元島民の墓参りなどに協力していく方針で一致しました。