DEAUVILLE, France. May 30 (Interfax) - Russian President Dmitry Medvedev insisted on Friday that Moscow and Tokyo avoid "dramatizing" their territorial dispute over Russia's South Kuril Islands, annexed by the Soviet Union from Japan during World War II.
"The most difficult problems can be resolved if one makes an effort. The only thing that should be avoided is dramatizing the situation. That's something [Japanese] Prime Minister Naoto Kan and I were in agreement on today, that we should discuss all issues, including the well-known difficult issue, but without dramatizing it, calmly," Medvedev told a news conference in Deauville after a G8 summit.
"That is a position that I'm ready to support, but, of course, we will pursue our national priorities and Japan will pursue its own. We will remain neighbors and, I hope, good friends," Medvedev said.
He also said there occur situations that bring nations together.
"A terrible tragedy has taken place in Japan, and I said to Prime Minister Naoto Kan today that we are ready to help in every way, from technology and supplies of hydrocarbons instead of the nuclear resources that Japan had, to cooperation along all other lines, including cultural matters," Medvedev said.