State Duma speaker regrets Japan joining anti-Russian sanctions
TOKYO. June 3 (Interfax) - Russian State Duma Speaker Sergei Naryshkin has expressed regret over Japan's decision to join some of the sanctions imposed on Russia over the events in Ukraine.
"Surely, we regret that Japan has joined these sanctions to a certain extent. Any sanctions are counter-productive," Naryshkin said at a press briefing at the Russian Embassy in Japan on Tuesday.
The Russian parliamentarian noted that these sanctions had not helped Ukraine in any way.
"Have these sanctions helped Ukraine somehow? Have they helped settle the most acute crisis that is tearing Ukraine apart today? Have they helped stop the military operation against the civilian population in the east of Ukraine? Have they helped resolve Ukraine's economic problems now that [Ukraine] has found itself on the verge of an abyss? No, they have not," he said.
Naryshkin described sanctions imposed on Russian parliamentarians as "destructive".
"In my opinion, Japan is a large and strong country, which should pursue a more independent policy," he said.
Naryshkin said he had met with the heads of the House of Representatives of Japan's parliament on June 2.
"We held consultations on parliamentary cooperation, as well as a wide range of other issues concerning relations between the two states and cooperation between our countries in areas such as the economy, politics and humanitarian affairs," Naryshkin said.
Naryshkin also said that on Tuesday he had met with Japanese business people, who "displayed their interest in enhancing our cooperation".