Kremlin aide Yury Ushakov told Sputnik on Saturday that Russia and Japan had agreed to boost their efforts toward eventually signing a peace treaty, and that the two sides were currently working on it.
BUENOS AIRES (Pakistan Point News / Sputnik - 01st December, 2018) Kremlin aide Yury Ushakov told Sputnik on Saturday that Russia and Japan had agreed to boost their efforts toward eventually signing a peace treaty, and that the two sides were currently working on it."Work is underway, we have agreed to act in compliance with the 1956 [Soviet-Japanese] declaration. There is understanding considering stepping up the work," Ushakov said, when asked if the Russian offer to Japan considering the disputed Kuril Islands would remain in force after the end of the year.
Russia and Japan have not signed a permanent peace treaty after the end of World War II as the two countries cannot agree on the territorial status of four islands that they both claim Iturup, Kunashir, Shikotan and Habomai. The islands are collectively referred to as the Southern Kurils by Russia and the Northern Territories by Japan.
On November 14, Russian President Vladimir Putin and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe met in Singapore and agreed to advance negotiations on a peace treaty based on the 1956 Soviet-Japanese joint declaration, the only document recognized by both countries. Among other things, the declaration stipulates that Japan will regain control over Habomai and Shikotan islands following the conclusion of the peace treaty.
Putin and Abe are set to meet later on Saturday on the sidelines of the G20 Summit in Argentina in order to discuss the signing of the long-awaited peace treaty.
