Japan-Russia Relations

May 10, 2019
Japanese
Japan-Russia Foreign Ministers’ Meeting 1
Japan-Russia Foreign Ministers’ Meeting 2
Japan-Russia Foreign Ministers’ Meeting 3

On May 10, Mr. Taro Kono, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan, held his 3rd Japan-Russia Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in 2019, and the 10th such meeting, with Mr.Lavrov, Sergey Viktorovich, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation, in Moscow. (approximately four hours including the working lunch).

1. Issue of Concluding a Peace Treaty

  • There was an in-depth discussion to find solution acceptable to the both sides, following the agreement between the two leaders in Singapore in November 2018.
  • Japan has clearly conveyed its assertions including at the Foreign Ministers’ Meetings through now regarding areas where Japan’s and Russia’s positions differ in particular, and although there were some severe exchanges, a candid discussion was conducted under the relationship of trust between the two ministers.
  • Both ministers held discussions toward their common goal to make the June Summit Meeting more fruitful. In regard to the Joint economic activities on the Four Northern Islands, They agreed to respectively hold the director-level working group regarding legal aspects on May 20, and the director-general level working group on The movement of people on May 21. In addition, for these working groups, They agreed that both sides would issue instructions to official level staff to show flexibility and conduct constructive work toward early implementation of the project.
  • In regard to humanitarian measures for the former island residents, continuing to steadily advance initiatives was confirmed.

2. Future Diplomacy Schedule

  • It was agreed that Foreign Minister Lavrov will visit Japan from May 30 and that a Japan-Russia Foreign and Defense Ministerial Consultation (“2+2” Ministerial Meeting) and Japan-Russia Foreign Ministerial Meeting will be held.

On the same day, Mr. Takeo Mori, Senior Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan, and Mr. Morgulov Igor Vladimirovich, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation, held a discussion for a little more than three hours regarding the issue of concluding a peace treaty including Joint economic activities on the Four Northern Islands, as well as on wide-ranging bilateral relations including economic and people-to-people exchanges and cooperation in the security field, and international situations such as the North Korea situation.

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