Stagnating Northern Territories Negotiations How will the Japanese side overcome the situation? September 5, 11:47
Japan-Russia summit held in the Russian Far East this time. Can you expect progress on the Northern Territories issue? How is the Japanese side ready to overcome the situation? I asked the reporter.
Q: Can you expect progress on the Northern Territories issue at this meeting?
A: The Japanese view is that it is difficult to immediately make significant progress. The Russian side has not lost its stubborn attitude, and senior officials of the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs have shown the idea that there is a big gap between the two sides and no progress can be expected.
At the summit meeting in June, it was agreed to continue the negotiations, but after that, there was no talk between the foreign ministers who are responsible for negotiations, and no official consultation of the Foreign Ministers responsible for negotiating the secretariat. . With the growing dissatisfaction with the Putin administration in Russia, I think the current situation is that the room for the Russian side to make concessions is becoming increasingly narrow.
Q: How is the Japanese side ready to break the situation?
A: An official of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said, “It is important that the leaders meet and speak without leaving the period.” The Japanese side wants to boost the negotiations at the administrative level, where the stagnation continues, after steadily embodying joint economic activities in the northern four islands, such as the implementation of pilot sightseeing tours, through repeated summit meetings. .
Before departure, Prime Minister Abe stated that “I would like to talk with President Putin on the stomach”. The meeting is also coordinated with only two leaders with an interpreter alone. As Prime Minister Abe, once again confirming his willingness to conclude a peace treaty with President Putin, we will continue to hold summit meetings and lead to further progress in negotiations.