"I would like to confirm today the latest progress on the [Russia-Japan] eight-point cooperation plan ahead of the planned summit between our countries at the end of this month", Seko said.
The eight-point cooperation plan with a focus on economic projects was proposed by Abe in 2016. The plan aims to promote bilateral cooperation through successfully combining Russia's economic and social needs with Japan's expertise.
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Oreshkin stressed at the meeting that the plan had already produced concrete results in 2018.
"As for the Russian-Japanese relations, the eight-point cooperation plan, proposed by Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe in 2016, showed concrete results by 2018. Trade between the two countries increased by 17 percent in 2018. Projects in various areas — from improving the urban environment, health care, to major investment projects — have been implemented. The summit [of Abe and Russian President Vladimir Putin] will be held at the end of the month, so it is very important now to compare notes", Oreshkin said.
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In January, Russia and Japan launched full-scale talks aimed at signing a peace agreement. The negotiations will be held at the highest level, with Russian President Vladimir Putin and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe slated to meet in late June during the G20 summit in Japan's Osaka.
READ MORE: Russia-Japan Peace Treaty Talks Will Not Affect Kurils Residents - Kremlin
