Japanese, Russian Foreign Ministers to discuss disputed isles in MoscowSeptember 19, 2015 - 10:49 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Japanese Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida will meet his Russian counterpart Sergey Lavrov next week to discuss bilateral relations, frayed recently by Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev's visit to a disputed island claimed by both countries, according to Reuters. Japan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs said Kishida will meet Lavrov in Moscow on Monday, September 21 to discuss a range of issues including the four disputed Pacific islands, which have strained ties between the countries since the end of World War Two. Japan lodged a protest last month over Medvedev's visit to Iturup, one of the islands known in Russia as the Southern Kuriles and referred to as the Northern Territories in Japan. Russia seized them in the last days of World War Two and the dispute has kept the two countries from signing a formal peace treaty since. Kishida's visit could lay the groundwork for a visit to Japan this year by Russian President Vladimir Putin for talks with Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, as discussed by the leaders late last year. Kishida will also meet First Deputy Prime Minister Igor Shuvalov on Sept. 22, his final day in Russia, the ministry said. Top stories Authorities said a total of 192 Azerbaijani troops were killed and 511 were wounded during Azerbaijan’s offensive. In 2023, the Azerbaijani government will increase the country’s defense budget by more than 1.1 billion manats ($650 million). The bill, published on Monday, is designed to "eliminate the shortcomings of an unreasonably broad interpretation of the key concept of "compatriot". The earthquake caused a temporary blackout, damaged many buildings and closed a number of rural roads. Partner news | Czech-Armenian military cooperation discussed in Yerevan A delegation led by the Director General for the Industrial Cooperation Division of the Ministry of Defence of the Czech Republic visited Armenia. U.S. welcomes efforts to define Armenia-Azerbaijan border The United States welcomes efforts to define the border between Armenia and Azerbaijan, says Vedant Patel. Biden honors resilience of Armenian people on April 24 U.S. President Joe Biden has issued a statement on the 109th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide. Ex-Karabakh leader moved to solitary confinement cell in Baku, his son says David Vardanyan is the son of former Karabakh leader Ruben Vardanyan who who is currently imprisoned in Azerbaijan. |