Japanese PM pledges to resolve island chain row with RussiaFebruary 7, 2015 - 12:25 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe on Saturday, Feb 67 pledged to resolve a row with Russia over an island chain claimed by both nations and sign a bilateral peace treaty delayed since WWII, AFP reports. Relations between Moscow and Tokyo have been strained for decades over of the status of four Pacific islands near Japan's north coast, known as the Southern Kurils in Russia and the Northern Territories in Japan. "As I have agreed with (Russian President Vladimir) Putin, it is abnormal that Japan and Russia have not concluded a peace treaty," Abe told an annual gathering in Tokyo to demand the return of the territories. "I am determined to continue working tenaciously on this issue... in full accordance with the government's fundamental policy of resolving the issue... and concluding a peace treaty with Russia." The seven-decade dispute over their ownership has kept Moscow and Tokyo from signing a post-war peace treaty. Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida told the same rally that the issue is the biggest stumbling block hindering relations between the two nations. Japan holds a demonstration on Feb 7 every year to mark a 1855 bilateral treaty that set its border with Russia. Photo: theapricity.com Related links: Top stories Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev arrived in Moscow on April 22 to hold talks with Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin. Authorities said a total of 192 Azerbaijani troops were killed and 511 were wounded during Azerbaijan’s offensive. In 2023, the Azerbaijani government will increase the country’s defense budget by more than 1.1 billion manats ($650 million). The bill, published on Monday, is designed to "eliminate the shortcomings of an unreasonably broad interpretation of the key concept of "compatriot". Partner news | Armenian delegation participating in NATO PA session The delegation is headed by Andranik Kocharyan, the chairman of the standing committee on defense and security matters. Schengen visa cost won’t change for Armenia – diplomat The increase in the cost of a Schengen visa will not apply to citizens of Armenia, a Foreign Ministry spokesperson has said. Yeremyan Projects opens state-of-the-art dairy production plant Yeremyan Projects officially launched the Yeremyan Products state-of-the-art milk processing plant in Yerevan on May 24. Armenian PM’s helicopter makes emergency landing in Vanadzor The helicopter transporting Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan made an emergency landing in Vanadzor. |