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Russia prods Japan to recognize historical facts

Xinhua, September 22, 2015 Adjust font size:

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov on Monday said progress could be made possible in peace treaty talks between Japan and his country only after Japan recognizes post-war historical reality.

The remarks were made by Lavrov at a joint news conference held in Moscow, the Russian capital, with visiting Japanese Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida.

"We reminded (our Japanese colleagues) that any progress in this issue is possible only after we receive a clear recognition of post-war historical reality from Japan, including all provisions of the UN Charter," said Lavrov. "It is the historical aspect of this problem, which we inherited from the Second World War (WWII), that creates the most serious obstacle on the way to its settlement."

Russia and Japan have long been at odds due to the territorial dispute over the four disputed Pacific islands, known as the Northern Territories in Japan and the Southern Kurils in Russia, which has blocked a peace treaty between the two countries since the end of WWII.

According to Lavrov, next round of consultations on the peace treaty talks will be held on Oct. 8 in Moscow.

Great differences still exist in both sides' positions on the peace treaty issue, though Russia and Japan are willing to look for solutions acceptable and supported by both peoples, Lavrov said.

During his meeting with the Japanese foreign minister, Lavrov reaffirmed Moscow's readiness to cooperate and communicate with Tokyo on all issues and at all levels, for "the development of cooperation between our countries in the long-term interests of our peoples."

Moscow and Tokyo have firm intention to promote the development of whole range of issues in bilateral relations in accordance with relevant agreements, Lavrov declared.

Moreover, the two ministers discussed key regional and global topics including North Korean nuclear issue and anti-terrorism mission in Middle East and North Africa. Endit