Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin visited Etorofu Island in the Northern Territories on the 26th and expressed his intention to attract foreign investment by establishing a special zone to which preferential treatment such as tariff exemption is applied.

President Putin, who dispatched the prime minister to the site, seems to have the aim of shaking the Japanese side while joint economic activities with Japan have not materialized.

Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin visited Etorofu Island in the Northern Territories on the 26th and visited clinics and fish processing facilities.



After the visit, Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin said, "We are considering whether we can set up an area that is exempt from tariffs. By doing so, we can import necessary equipment and goods without tariffs. We are also considering exemption from tax obligations. Western investors It will be interesting for us, and Japan can also work here. "He said he would like to set up a special zone to which preferential treatment is applied and attract foreign investment.



At a meeting held on the 23rd of this month prior to the dispatch of the Prime Minister, Putin revealed that there was an unprecedented proposal, referring to joint economic activities with Japan, Mishustin said. The establishment of special zones is also expected to be included in this proposal.



President Putin is aiming to shake the Japanese side by emphasizing Russia's willingness to rush the development of the island while joint economic activities are not concretely progressing due to the spread of the new coronavirus infection. It seems that there is also.

Russian Deputy Secretary Protests against Japanese Ambassador to Moscow

According to the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Morgulov said on the 26th in Moscow after Russian Prime Minister Igor Morgulov's visit to the northern territory of Chotoku Island was followed by a strong protest by Mr. Mori, Vice-Minister of Foreign Affairs, against Ambassador to Japan Garuzin. He called on Ambassador Kamizuki, who is stationed in Russia, to protest.



In this statement, Morgulov said, "We sought to raise the relationship between the two countries to a new level qualitatively, rather than dropping it on a catastrophic route."



According to the Japanese embassy, ​​Ambassador Kozuki strongly argued that he was "making a natural claim as Japan," and said, "Toward the progress of negotiations to conclude a peace treaty, including joint economic activities on the four northern islands." He urged us to respond constructively to advance Japan-Russia relations. "



Meanwhile, Russian Presidential Administration spokesman Peskov justified the visit, saying that Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin would "visit areas of Russia where it seems necessary" as the head of government.

History of joint economic activities in the four islands

At the summit meeting in December 2016, the Japanese and Russian governments agreed to start discussions on joint economic activities on the four northern islands, saying that "it could be an important step toward the conclusion of a peace treaty."



Later, in 2017, as a business to work preferentially,


▼ farming of seafood,


▼ cultivation of greenhouse vegetables,


the development of the tour in accordance with the characteristics of ▼ island,


▼ introduction of wind power generation,


it


▼ 5 of measures to reduce waste Narrow down to items.



Toward the realization of the project, both Japanese and Russian waste disposal experts visited each other's related facilities in Nemuro City, Hokkaido and Kunashiri Island, and a trial sightseeing tour by Japanese tourists was also held for the first time. rice field.



Since it is a prerequisite for the implementation of joint economic activities that the legal positions of both parties are not broken, discussions have been held over the legal framework through summit meetings, foreign ministers' meetings, and working groups of both governments. No agreement has been reached.



While the Japanese side wants a "special system" that does not harm the legal positions of both sides, the Russian side insists that "it should be done under the Russian legal system" and remains in both positions. There is a gap.



Under these circumstances, in 2017, the Russian government designated a part of Shitanjima as its own special economic zone, which gives tax incentives to domestic and foreign companies, and has shown its willingness to attract investment.



In response, the Japanese government has protested that special economic zones with Russia's legal system in mind are "incompatible with Japan's position."