10 Apr 2013 19:59

Russia advises Japan against arms buildup because of N. Korea

LONDON. April 10 (Interfax) - Russia has advised Japan against using North Korea's current belligerence as "a pretext to build up armaments in Northeastern Asia," Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said on Wednesday.

"I discussed this issue with the Japanese minister, and we have no disagreements on this point with our Japanese partners. I hope they heard our message about the need to avoid the temptation of using the current reckless behavior of Pyongyang as a pretext to build up armaments in Northeastern Asia, as a pretext to change the military balance in the region," Lavrov said in London.

"This would be bad from the viewpoint of stability in that region," he said.