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President of Russia Vladimir Putin: First of all, I would like to congratulate you, Shinzo, on your convincing victory at the election. I hope this will help us implement all our plans.

Overall, our relations are developing consistently, and I am very pleased about that. Our political dialogue has become more active, and our economic ties are growing stronger. However, there are always questions that need to be given additional attention.

I am glad to have this opportunity to meet and talk with you.

Minister of Japan Shinzo Abe (retranslated): Thank you for your kind words on our election victory. Thanks to this, we can resume our efforts. I hope we will continue to cooperate, Vladimir.

It is nice to know that we are meeting for the 20th time today.

Based on the agreement we reached in Nagato, special flights were organised so that the families of the deceased residents of the [Kuril] Islands could visit the graves of their relatives and tour the districts on the four islands where we are cooperating. In the context of the successful implementation of these plans, I would like to move forward our future efforts focused on the peace treaty.

As for the planned cross-year in 2018, we are making energetic preparations for it. Next year, Russia will host the FIFA World Cup, which the Japanese team will attend. I would like the next year to provide more reasons for strengthening cooperation between our nations.

Speaking about the international agenda, I am ready to exchange opinions on our cooperation to denuclearise the Korean Peninsula.

Vladimir Putin: We look forward to seeing you at the St Petersburg International Economic Forum and at the opening of the Russian-Japanese cross-years at the Bolshoi Theatre.

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