Vladimir Putin gave an interview to the Japanese media.
On the eve of his visit to Japan, Prime Minister Vladimir Putin granted an interview to Japanese journalists. He was asked about the Kuril Islands, import duties on used cars, and his relations with President Dmitry Medvedev.
The first question was about the problem of the Kurils, which has long been a stumbling block for Russo-Japanese relations. The territorial issue has been raised repeatedly in various settings, including during Dmitry Medvedev's meetings with Japanese Prime Minister Taro Aso. However, no concrete decisions have been made. Vladimir Putin did not go into the details of this sensitive issue. He merely repeated that it was necessary to find a compromise that would suit both countries. "I repeat, we have been and will continue to act on the premise that resolving such an important and complex issue calls for consideration of and a respectful attitude towards the interests of each other, and for patience", the Prime Minister said.
As for economic relations, Russia and Japan have long found common ground in this area. Mr Putin noted that despite the economic crisis, bilateral projects were proceeding successfully. He mentioned the construction of the Eastern Siberia-Pacific Ocean pipeline, as well as the Sakhalin-1 and Sakhalin-2 projects. He also referred to machine-building, telecommunications, wood-processing and metallurgy.
"There are opportunities for business for our Japanese partners and friends in practically every Russian region," the Prime Minister said. "For example, we are ready to help organise automobile production in the Far Eastern region."
The journalists also raised the issue of the "power tandem", which was formed in Russia a year ago. Mr Putin replied that "tandems" between the President and the Prime Minister exist wherever the job of the head of state is separate from that of the head of the executive branch. "In our country, the relationship between the president and the prime minister is really very good," Mr Putin said. "That is an important factor for political stability in Russia."
The Japanese journalists promptly reminded Vladimir Putin that in a recent interview with Novaya Gazeta, Dmitry Medvedev had some harsh words to say about the Government's performance. The Prime Minister was unperturbed. "A critical view of the Government's actions is absolutely normal," he said. "I myself am not always happy with what some ministries and agencies do. And during a financial crisis, their performance must come under particularly close scrutiny".
The Japanese journalists asked some questions about internal economic problems in Russia. According to Mr Putin, the Russian economy, although facing difficulties, is still witnessing some "positive shifts". "For our efforts to be effective, there should be coordination at the international level," the Prime Minister summed up, "we need new impetuses to restore demand in the world markets."
The Japanese paid particular attention to the restrictions on imports of used Japanese cars to Russia's Far East, which caused significant protests in Vladivostok. Mr Putin said that many countries, including the United States, were taking measures to protect their markets. "It is not the best measure, but it is often necessary to save this or that industry, this or that sector of the economy inside the country," emphasised the Prime Minister. He said that imposing duties on the import of foreign cars was an exceptional measure justified by the financial crisis.
"Our automobile industry employs hundreds of thousands of people, even millions if one counts in the members of their families," the Prime Minister said. "One must choose not between what is good and what is very good, but the lesser of two evils."
In response to the protests in the Far East, the Government took some additional measures. "For example, we do not charge anything to transport automobiles produced in Russia by rail to the Far East," Mr Putin said. "Automobiles can be delivered there at minimum tariffs, practically at zero cost." The Prime Minister explained that the measure fully applied to the automobile producers that are 100% foreign financed.
National issue
By Alexei Ilyin