MOSCOW: The Russian prime minister on Monday visited the Pacific islands claimed by Japan and said the government is looking at setting up a special economic zone there.
Prime minister Mikhail Mishustin They are visiting Russia’s Far East and Siberia this week, and on Monday the Kuril Islands were their first stop.
Mishustin visited a hospital and a fish plant iturup, one of the four southernmost Kuril Islands, and told plant workers that the government was considering creating a special economic zone on the islands, in which businesses and investors would be exempt from most taxes and customs duties.
Mishustin said, “The measures that the Russian authorities are currently considering could be a good solution for investors, including those from the West, also for Japan, who, if interested, can find employment here.” can produce.” Intensification of economic activity on the islands”. He said he would discuss measures with Russian President Vladimir Putin.
On Friday, Putin called on Mishustin to “pay special attention” to the Kuril Islands during his visit to the Far East, noting that Moscow “understands necessary conditions for those involved in economic activities with Japanese partners … working to build.”
Japan claims territorial rights over the islands it calls the Northern Territory. The Soviet Union took them into the final days of World War II, and the dispute has prevented the countries from signing a peace treaty formally ending their hostilities.
Decades of diplomatic efforts to negotiate a deal have produced no clear results.
Former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe spent a lot of time and effort during his nearly eight-year term in hopes of negotiating a solution but made little progress.
Shortly after taking office last September, newly elected Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga discussed the territorial dispute in a call with Putin and said he hoped to find a settlement and sign a peace treaty. (
Prime minister Mikhail Mishustin They are visiting Russia’s Far East and Siberia this week, and on Monday the Kuril Islands were their first stop.
Mishustin visited a hospital and a fish plant iturup, one of the four southernmost Kuril Islands, and told plant workers that the government was considering creating a special economic zone on the islands, in which businesses and investors would be exempt from most taxes and customs duties.
Mishustin said, “The measures that the Russian authorities are currently considering could be a good solution for investors, including those from the West, also for Japan, who, if interested, can find employment here.” can produce.” Intensification of economic activity on the islands”. He said he would discuss measures with Russian President Vladimir Putin.
On Friday, Putin called on Mishustin to “pay special attention” to the Kuril Islands during his visit to the Far East, noting that Moscow “understands necessary conditions for those involved in economic activities with Japanese partners … working to build.”
Japan claims territorial rights over the islands it calls the Northern Territory. The Soviet Union took them into the final days of World War II, and the dispute has prevented the countries from signing a peace treaty formally ending their hostilities.
Decades of diplomatic efforts to negotiate a deal have produced no clear results.
Former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe spent a lot of time and effort during his nearly eight-year term in hopes of negotiating a solution but made little progress.
Shortly after taking office last September, newly elected Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga discussed the territorial dispute in a call with Putin and said he hoped to find a settlement and sign a peace treaty. (
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