ITURUP ISLAND, South Kuril Islands. July 29 (Interfax-AVN) - Russia does not intend to make territorial concessions to Japan as regards the four islands in the South Kuril ridge, but is prepared to conduct diplomatic negotiations on this issue in a correct and respectful manner, said Russian Defense Minister Sergei Ivanov.
"We are not going to make any territorial concessions, and we are not going to leave" the South Kurils, Ivanov told the press on Iturup Island on Friday.
"This problem is known to everybody, it is old. We are willing to conduct diplomatic negotiations, we have conducted them for 50 or 60 years, and are prepared to conduct them further in a correct and respectful manner, because Japan is our important economic, scientific and technological partner. We want to develop relations with Japan. I think Japan is also interested in developing relations with Russia, but resorting to ultimatums and making tough terms is a way that has no prospect," Ivanov said.
"We should continue to live and create normal and appropriate conditions here ourselves," he said.