Russian, Japanese diplomats discuss regional, bilateral problems.

26/1 Tass 99

TOKYO, January 26 (Itar-Tass) - Russian and Japanese first deputy
foreign ministers Andrei Denisov and Mitoji Yabunaka at their
consultations on Monday focused on the most pressing international,
regional and bilateral problems.
"This time : we discussed bilateral relations, focusing on how to
promote them and step up the existing cooperation," First Deputy Foreign
Minister Andrei Denisov told Itar-Tass on Tuesday.
"We touched upon several regional problems, in particular the
organization of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation forum that Japan
chairs this year. We also discussed other mechanisms of ensuring security
in Asia and strengthening integration structures," he said.
"As for the global agenda we focused on the most pressing issues.
These are nuclear problems of Iran and the Korean Peninsula, such a vast
theme as Afghanistan and Pakistan and the Middle East settlement," the
diplomat said.
Denisov stressed that "agreements to continue and resume ministerial
consultations on such issues as strategic stability, the fight against
terrorism and the situation in the Middle East are practical results of
the consultations."
"We outlined the most important and central positions on these themes
and our counterparts will have a more detailed and comprehensive
discussion," he said.
"Russia and Japan have already established the whole system of
political contacts and consultations beginning from regular meetings of
the two countries' leaders and foreign ministers to regular working
meetings among foreign ministry officials," he said.
The eighth round of consultations between the first deputy foreign
ministers within the framework of the bilateral strategic dialogue will
take place in Moscow in the second half of the year.

-0-isk/ast