Shoigu notes continuous development of Russian-Japanese relations in military area
TOKYO. May 30 (Interfax) - The military and diplomats of Russia and Japan are making a substantial contribution to the atmosphere of mutual trust, and the development of bilateral relations in the military area has been continuous, according to Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu.
"The joint dialogue of foreign and defense ministries of the two countries is making a serious contribution to creating the atmosphere of mutual trust and ensuring security in the Asia-Pacific region," Shoigu said at a meeting of the Russian and Japanese foreign and defense ministers in the 2+2 format in Tokyo on Thursday.
"The development of Russian-Japanese relations in the military area has been continuous," he said.
"The status of military cooperation was discussed in detail and opinions on the regional situation were exchanged" with Japanese Defense Minister Takeshi Iwaya earlier on Thursday, Shoigu said.
"We had a frank conversation," he said, adding that he expected "discussions to be fruitful and substantive."
Shoigu thanked the Japanese partners for the "well-governed" consultations in Tokyo.