Territorial dispute tops agenda of Japan-Russia FM’s meeting

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov indicated Monday that there is no room for compromise with Japan over the disputed south Kuril islands, calling on Tokyo to “recognise” post-WWII “historic realities”. High-level talks focusing on the row over four Russian-held isles off Hokkaido and the peace treaty issue have been suspended since January a year ago . The government hopes that the latest ministerial meeting will serve as an opportunity to realign Japan’s Russian diplomacy.

Fumio Kishida arrived in Moscow on a working visit after an absence of almost two years and interrupted contacts, with Tokyo’s territorial claims and disregard of Russian sovereignty over the Southern Kurils as a background.

The countries never concluded a peace treaty for World War II, having failed to resolve the dispute stemming from the 1945 occupation of the islands by Soviet forces. “A dialogue must be continued, but we won’t be able to move forward without clarifying historical reality”, Lavrov said.

Japan’s Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said Medvedev’s landing on the island of Iturup “conflicts with Japan’s position” and is “extremely regrettable”.

Lavrov said that the resumption of the approach gives hope to start working together in order to solve the complex situation in the Moscow-Tokyo dialogue, which, according to the Minister, has no direct relation with the bilateral ties. “What is important is to make the talks (between our leaders) fruitful”.

The Russian ministry also noted that Lavrov and Kishida plan to pay special attention to problems of bilateral cooperation to contribute to ensuring global and regional security.

Lavrov also proposed to hold the first “two-plus-two” meeting between their foreign and defense chiefs since November 2013. However, Lavrov apparently refused to call those “northern territories”, as recognized by Japan. He and First Deputy Prime Minister Igor Shuvalov will preside over a meeting Tuesday of the Russia-Japan Intergovernmental Committee on Trade and Economic Issues, a forum created to promote bilateral trade.

Moscow, for its part, agreed in a 1956 deal to return Shikotan and Habomai following the conclusion of a peace treaty.