Tokyo rejects the proposal of Moscow on the creation of a special economic zone (SEZ) on the southern islands of the Kuril ridge. This was stated by the Foreign Minister Tosimitsa Motigi after negotiations with the Russian counterpart Sergei Lavrov in New York, Interfax writes with reference to the Japanese press.
The Japanese side plan did not suit the fact that in the territory of the islands, Russian laws will still be applied. This, according to Tokyo, would infringe upon the legal position of Japan in working on joint economic projects.
Lavrov and Motitions also touched upon the issue of a peace treaty between countries – they agreed to continue negotiations and develop relations between Russia and Japan.
Moscow and Tokyo cannot sign a peace treaty on the results of the Second World War due to the territorial dispute around the southern part of Kuril. Japan considers the Islands of ITUURUP, Kunashir, Shikotan and a group of Habmioma Islands with its “northern territories”. Moscow does not recognize the very fact of the territorial dispute.