TOKYO, March 19. /Offset. TASS Vasily Golovnin/. The head of the Japanese foreign Ministry Fumio Kishida believes that the upcoming March 20, Tokyo meeting of Ministers of foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation and Japan in the format of “two plus two” will make a great contribution to strengthening peace and security in the Asia-Pacific region (APR). He stated this in an interview TASS.

Interview

Fumio Kishida: with the Bay I have built a trust relationship

Go to Interview

“Dialogue and understanding on security issues between Japan and Russia as significant players in the Asia-Pacific region and neighbours is important not only for our countries but for stability in the entire region, – said the Minister . – The Ministers of foreign Affairs and defense of Japan and Russia 20 March will be held in Tokyo the second meeting in a format “two plus two” for a thorough dialogue in the conditions when in the Asia Pacific region, the tensions in the field of safety, including first and foremost the actions of the DPRK, which has carried out some time ago ballistic missiles.”

“Direct exchange of views between the four Ministers, meeting in Japan and the Russian Federation for matters of diplomacy and defence, will make a great contribution not only in strengthening trust between our countries, but also to the peace and security of the entire region, and I look forward in this regard for a constructive dialogue”, – said Kishida. He recalled that the theme of cooperation of Russia and Japan in the field of security were discussed in December last year at the meeting of the leaders of the two countries during the visit of Russian President Vladimir Putin to Japan. “The parties came to a consensus and continue to promote such contacts,” – reminded the Minister.

Between diplomatic departments of the two countries implemented various types of cooperation in the field of safety, including first consulting on the issue of terrorism, said Kishida.

The previous meeting in the format of “two plus two” was held on 2 November 2013. It was reached agreement to intensify joint military exercises, including naval maneuvers, in the Gulf of Aden. The parties expressed their intention to consult on cyber-terrorism and missile defense issues. However, a number of such arrangements have not been made, and the meeting “two plus two” was frozen because of the crisis around Ukraine and the annexation of Tokyo sanctions against Russia.