Russia, Japan launching new project: inter-regional, twin-city exchanges - Putin
OSAKA. June 29 (Interfax) - Russia and Japan have agreed to hold a Year of inter-regional exchanges, President Vladimir Putin said.
"We have agreed to launch a new project: a Year of Russian-Japanese inter-regional and twin-city exchanges," Putin said at the closing of the Cross-year of Russia and Japan on Saturday, adding that he was especially pleased to make this announcement in Osaka, a twin-city of St. Petersburg, his home town.
The new project will lend new dimension to the wide-ranging cooperation between Russian regions and Japanese prefectures, thus strengthening friendship and cooperation between the two countries, he said.
The cross-years helped bring the two nations closer and learn more about each other, Putin said. Over 700 events were held in many spheres including culture, education, tourism and sport, he said.
For his part, Abe said that the cross-years helped "the two nations discover the enchantment of one another."