MOSCOW. March 20 (Interfax-AVN) - The Russian Defense Ministry hopes Russian-Japanese cooperation on the prevention of dangerous military activities (PODMA) will resume in both countries' interests, Russian Deputy Defense Minister Anatoly Antonov said.
"In light of Japan's unilateral approaches towards building its relations with Russia, we assume the role of making constructive decisions on the issues arising in relation to the military activity in the region. It is being postponed for an indefinite period. We are ready for this work and certain it will resume in the very near future because both sides need, and, will benefit from it," the deputy defense minister said.
He was commenting to Russian reporters on the Japanese Foreign Ministry's decision to suspend contacts over preparation of the Russian-Japanese PODMA agreement.
"We are astonished by this decision, given that Japan has recently been showing increased interest in preparing this document," Antonov said.
"The Japanese military repeatedly asked the Russian Defense Ministry to explain various situations relating to Russian Armed Forces activities in the region. We have always reacted positively to our Japanese partners and their requests and provided exhaustive answers," the deputy defense minister said.
"Subsequently, while performing the instructions attained during the course of Russian-Japanese strategic dialogue in the two plus two format, and making concessions to our partners, we agreed to organize the work of drafting a comprehensive agreement on the prevention of dangerous military activities," Antonov said.
"The Russian Defense Ministry formed a delegation of experts instructed to start working with our Japanese partners," he said.