Abe, Putin agree on close cooperation over N. Korea

September 8, 2017

VLADIVOSTOK- Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and Russian President Vladimir Putin agreed Thursday to cooperate closely at the UN Security Council and elsewhere in responding to North Korea's recent nuclear test.

Meanwhile, the two leaders were apart over whether to impose proposed tough sanctions against North Korea, including a ban on all oil exports to the country.

In their talks held in the Russian Far East city of Vladivostok, Putin underlined the importance of dialogue in resolving North Korean problems.

Abe and Putin also agreed to take concrete steps to realize joint economic activities on the disputed northwestern Pacific islands in five fields, including tourism and fish farming.

On North Korea, Abe told Putin that it is important that the whole international community puts maximum pressure on the reclusive state.

At a joint press conference held after the talks, however, Putin said political and diplomatic means are the only ways available to resolve the North Korea issues, calling for continuing dialogue.

Still, Abe and Putin shared a view that the nuclear test on Sunday is a serious threat to the peace of the Korean Peninsula and the region.

Abe asked Russia to cooperate in passing the US-proposed Security Council sanctions resolution including the oil embargo. But Putin remained cautious, informed sources said.

This was the 19th summit meeting between Abe and Putin. They last met in Hamburg, Germany, in July.

The day's meeting started one hour later than scheduled and lasted about three hours and 20 minutes, including one-on-one talks between the two, joined only by interpreters.

Regarding the joint economic activities on the four Russian-held islands, called the Northern Territories in Japan, Abe and Putin agreed on marine product farming, greenhouse vegetable cultivation, tourism utilizing the features of the isles, wind power generation and waste reduction measures. Jiji Press