MOSCOW. Feb 11 (Interfax) - Japanese Foreign Minister Seiji Maehara has called into question the advisability of forming a Russian-Japanese expert commission to study historic issues.
"Our experts have already held various discussions on this matter. But did they do us any good? I am doubtful about this idea," Maehara said at a news conference after a meeting with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov in Moscow on Friday.
"If the Japanese side thinks that it will not help us much, we certainly will not insist on it," Lavrov said.
However, the work of professional historians in a calm atmosphere could be useful, he said.
"The positions of the authorities of Russia and Japan on the problem of a peace treaty are totally opposite today. And we could do with this work done by professionals in a quiet atmosphere not linked with publicity or any political considerations," Lavrov said.