Japan-Russia Territorial Talks on the agenda

At meeting today, the Government of Japan and a Russian senior official confirmed that the Northern Territories issue will be discussed at talks in July.

Sergei Naryshkin, chief of staff of the Russian Presidential Executive Office, told Aso that Russia is preparing to hold talks on the territorial issue when Russian President Dmitry Medvedev and Aso meet on the sidelines of the Group of Eight summit in Italy.

Aso told Naryshkin that he hopes to hear Medvedev explain Russia's efforts to resolve the long-standing dispute, while Naryshkin said it is important that discussion on the matter be held in a quiet atmosphere, according to the ministry officials.

Very good, sirs. You shall have your quiet atmosphere.

Now go get this matter resolved.