OREANDA-NEWS. May 15, 2009. Vladimir Putin, Chairman of the Government of the Russian Federation, paid a working visit to Japan from May 11-13.

Putin held talks with Japanese Prime Minister Taro Aso, met a number of eminent Japanese politicians, former prime ministers Yoshiro Mori and Junichiro Koizumi, Chairman of Japan’s opposition Democratic Party Ichiro Ozawa and its Secretary General Yukio Hatoyama, addressed the Russian-Japanese business forum, which gathered the business elite of the two countries, conversed at a working luncheon with heads of major Japanese and Russian companies, attended the opening of a Conference of Russian and Japanese Governors, delivered a speech of welcome to them, and took part in the presentation of a Japanese edition of the book ‘Learning Judo with Vladimir Putin,’ one of whose authors is the Chairman of the Government of Russia.

During the talks with the Japanese Prime Minister a keen, in-depth and constructive exchange of views took place on ways to develop further Russian-Japanese ties, primarily economic, commercial, scientific, technological and investment cooperation, along the lines of the 2003 Action Plan, which is the “roadmap” for the construction of partner relations between Russia and Japan.

A common understanding was reached concerning the need to step up cooperation, primarily in the innovative spheres of the economy: atomic energy, energy-saving, information and telecommunication technologies, transport, outer space, and nanotechnologies. The importance was emphasized of further expanding collaboration in the fuel and energy sector, including investment interaction in the extraction, transportation and processing of hydrocarbon raw materials. The attention of the Japanese partners was drawn to the extensive possibilities of participation in projects associated with the development of Sakhalin oil and gas fields, and the construction of a liquefied natural gas plant and an oil refinery in Russia’s Maritime Territory. There was reiterated the Russian leadership’s intention to continue the construction of the Eastern Siberia-Pacific Ocean oil pipeline system, which Japanese business could join. It was stated that such Russian-Japanese cooperation will become an essential factor of ensuring energy security in the AP region.

The prime ministers substantively discussed the theme of joint actions in overcoming the global financial and economic crisis.

In the view of the sides, the search of new opportunities for economic cooperation will help mitigate the impact of the crisis on the economies of Russia and Japan and maintain the positive dynamics of bilateral trade, whose volume in 2008 reached a record USD30 billion.

Among the important themes of the talks was the development of humanitarian, cultural and educational contacts and interregional ties between the two countries.

At the end of the visit a weighty package of joint documents was signed that will seriously reinforce the juridical base of Russian-Japanese relations. They include a Treaty on Mutual Legal Assistance in Criminal Matters, an Agreement on Cooperation in Peaceful Uses of Atomic Energy, an Agreement on Cooperation and Mutual Assistance in Customs Affairs, a Memorandum on Principles for Further Cooperation to Prevent Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated Fishing for Marine Living Resources and Illegal Export of Products Made from Them, and a number of other documents.

The sides exchanged views on the problem of a peace treaty. There was reiterated on the Russian side the readiness to continue a dialogue aimed at searching for a mutually acceptable solution along with noting the importance of creating a positive atmosphere for that, particularly through the active development of economic and trade cooperation.

By and large the visit of Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin to Japan has confirmed the rich potential for cooperation between the two countries and greatly strengthened the basis for the further ongoing advancement of Russian-Japanese relations.