Russia ready to discuss peace treaty with Japan: ambassador+

TOKYO, June 21 Kyodo -
Russian Ambassador to Japan Mikhail Bely said Tuesday that Russia is ready to continue discussions over concluding a peace treaty with Japan.
His remarks made during a speech at Hosei University in Tokyo came after Russian Deputy Prime Minister Sergei Ivanov said earlier this month that relations between the two countries can move forward even without the signing of a formal peace treaty ending World War II.
But Bely said Russia is ready to continue debate toward conclusion of a treaty as it is an issue the two countries will have to address sooner or later.
The dispute over the Russian-administered islands off Hokkaido -- Etorofu, Kunashiri and Shikotan as well as the Habomai islet group -- has prevented the two countries from signing a peace treaty.
Bely apparently indicated Russia intends to settle the territorial row based on a joint declaration signed by Japan and the then Soviet Union in 1956, which stipulated the return of Shikotan and Habomai after concluding a peace treaty, by saying it resolved many issues.