VLADIVOSTOK. May 21 (Interfax) - Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has said he is hoping to make headway in the peace treaty's field during his visit to Russia.
"I am still hoping to make progress in the solution of a keynote task, the conclusion of the peace treaty," Abe said in the program Vesti v Subbotu aired by the television channel Rossiya 1 (VGTRK).
Abe said he had reached some understandings with Russian President Vladimir Putin at the meeting in Nagato. The plan of joint economic activity "is being implemented at full speed," he said.
"It is our unwavering opinion that the peace treaty should be concluded by determining the state affiliation of the four islands; unfortunately, the peace treaty has yet to be signed after all these 70 years. This is a totally abnormal situation," Abe said.
"Both President Putin and I think so," he added.