Putin invites Abe to opening ceremony of Russian-Japanese Year of Cultural Exchange

DANANG /Vietnam/, November 10. /TASS/. Russian President Vladimir Putin has invited Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe to attend the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF). "We expect you to attend the St. Petersburg international forum and the opening ceremony of the Russian-Japanese Year of Cultural Exchange," Putin said, addressing Abe during their meeting held on the sidelines of the APEC summit in Vietnam’s Danang. Abe, in turn, mentioned the recent trip of Japanese citizens to the South Kuril Islands, aimed at providing them with an opportunity to visit the graves of their family members and assess the possibilities for joint economic activities on the four islands. "Taking into account the results of this trip, I would like to advance our work aimed at achieving a peace treaty," the Japanese prime minister said. According to Abe, preparations for the Russian-Japanese Year of Cultural Exchange are underway. "I wish that the next year will be a good one for strengthening understanding between the people of our countries," he added. Read more