Russian, Japanese diplomats reiterate importance of joint efforts to prepare Putin’s official visit to Japan - Russian foreign ministry

MOSCOW, February 12. /TASS/. Russian and Japanese Deputy Foreign Ministers, Igor Morgulov and Shinsuke Sugiyama, have reiterated the importance of joint efforts to prepare Russian President Vladimir Putin’s official visit to Japan, the Russian Foreign Ministry said on Thursday. "The two diplomats reiterated the importance of joint comprehensive efforts to prepare an official visit by Russian President Vladimir Putin to Japan, including holding a regular meeting of the Russian-Japanese intergovernmental trade-and-economic commission in Moscow and talks between the two countries’ foreign ministers," the ministry said after consultations between Russian and Japanese diplomats in Moscow. "The sides agreed to hold the next round of consultations in Tokyo. Exact terms will be agreed through diplomatic channels." "Key focus at the consultations was made on issues of further promoting Russian-Japanese cooperation in such areas as strengthening political dialogue, expanding trade-and-economic relations, developing contacts in practical spheres of cultural exchanges," the ministry said. "The sides exchanged views on a range of pressing international topics, including the situation in the Middle East and North Africa." Read more