Russia, Japan have every opportunity for successful cooperation - Putin
SOCHI. Feb 8 (Interfax) - The current level of relations between Russia and Japan provides preconditions for resolving the most complicated issues between the two countries, Russian President Vladimir Putin said.
"Our bilateral relations are developing consistently and in a constructive manner, we cooperate in a number of international organizations, and this cooperation is very successful and fruitful," Putin said before negotiations with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe in Sochi on Saturday.
He called Russia and Japan "natural partners" and described Japan as "a good friend" of Russia.
New mechanisms of interaction at the political level have been set up between Russia and Japan; in particular, cooperation is developing between the two foreign ministries and defense ministries, which is "very important and improves trust" between the two countries, Putin said.
He also mentioned growing trade between Russia and Japan.
"All this provides good preconditions for resolving even the most complicated issues between the two states," Putin said.
He thanked the Japanese prime minister for his attention to the Olympics in Sochi and wished Japanese athletes to successfully perform in the competitions.
Abe, who attended the opening ceremony of the Olympics on Friday, called it excellent.
"Let me wish you with all my heart successful organization of these Olympic Games, to which Vladimir [Putin] has sacrificed itself to the last drop of his blood," he said.
Abe praised the fact that Japanese-made equipment was used in the ceremony and made its contribution to its success.
"We have met four times, and today's meeting between us is the fifth, and I believe we could open a new page in the development of our bilateral relations," he said.
He said he wished the relationship between the two countries should develop more actively following the Saturday meeting.
Putin noted that Japan would host Summer Olympic Games in 2020. "I think your specialists will be interested in seeing how the Sochi Olympics are organized," Putin said.
