Vladimir Putin promises profitable contracts for the Japanese.
During Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin's visit to Japan yesterday, the two countries signed an agreement on the peaceful use of nuclear energy, as well as other bilateral agreements. These agreements pave the way for the exchange of Russian energy resources for the latest Japanese technologies, and for the further development of bilateral trade. The political nature of the discussions demonstrated that Mr Putin is making the broadest possible use of the 2008 provision extending the Prime Minister's authority in implementing Russia's foreign policy.
Officially, Putin's trip to Japan is classified as a "working" visit. However, in an interview with the Japanese press before his visit, Mr Putin made it clear that during discussions with his Japanese counterpart Taro Aso and other politicians he would be able to discuss issues considered essential for the relationship between the two nations, including issues that traditionally fall within the Russian President's area of authority. Now, in accordance with a Russian foreign policy directive that President Dmitry Medvedev's endorsed by decree on July 17 of last year, "The Government Ministries of the Russian Federation shall implement measures in order to carry out the country's foreign policy." In both his statements to journalists, and later during negotiations in Tokyo, Mr Putin relied fully on this provision. In particular, this applied to the prospect of signing a peace treaty between Russia and Japan. The two countries were preparing to sign a peace treaty more than 50 years ago, but Tokyo refused to sign, demanding that the four South Kurile Islands be handed over to Japan.
Mr Putin stated that approaching the territorial issue from an emotional perspective complicates rather than facilitates its resolution.
The Prime Minister did not avoid discussing this sensitive issue during his meeting with Japanese business leaders in Tokyo. He said that the issue could be resolved by fostering an atmosphere of trust, and implementing joint projects. "With this approach, cooperation will help us solve global problems, including the conclusion of a peace treaty," he emphasized.
An agreement initiating cooperation in the field of peaceful nuclear energy was one of the projects paving the way for a more cooperative relationship between the neighbouring countries. Head of the Rosatom Russian Nuclear Energy State Corporation Sergei Kiriyenko said that this agreement would allow the two countries to develop full-scale nuclear cooperation. Reuters reported that Russia would supply Japan with nuclear fuel, while Japan will provide Russia with the latest technologies for the construction and operation of nuclear power plants.
This agreement will allow Russia and Japan to establish multi-billion-dollar ventures. Apart from the economic benefits, the agreement also has obvious political gains. First of all, an agreement in such a sensitive area between two countries that were enemies in World War II and have not yet signed a peace treaty attests to the exceptional understanding between Moscow and Tokyo.
Secondly, this agreement could only be reached because both countries share the same position on the non-proliferation of nuclear weapons. International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) safeguards apply to the Russo-Japanese joint nuclear project, and so no aspect of this agreement may be used for military purposes.
During a meeting with Japanese business leaders, Mr Putin stated that the Russian Government would support Japanese entrepreneurs working or planning to start business in Russia in every possible way. ITAR-TASS reports that he has invited Japanese business leaders to participate more fully in the extraction and processing of raw materials in the Russian Far East. There are plans to build a plant to produce liquefied natural gas (LNG) and a gas chemical facility in Primorye Territory. A LNG plant has already been commissioned on Sakhalin Island, and the first shipment of natural gas has already been delivered to Japan.
The power industry will remain a key factor in the two countries' continued cooperation. According to Nikkei agency, the two sides are likely to sign agreements allowing for the joint development of oil deposits in the Irkutsk Region. The government-controlled Japan Oil, Gas and Metals National Corporation is expected to receive 49% of shares in the future company, while Russia will control the rest.
The two parties will also sign an agreement for cooperation in banking. Putin's visit will conclude with the presentation of his book "Learning Judo with Vladimir Putin", which has been translated into Japanese.
Assessing the prospects of growing cooperation between Russia and Japan, Chairman of the Council for Foreign and Defence Policy Sergei Karaganov told NG that the importance of the territorial issue would decrease with time. The construction of the LNG plant is a breakthrough. In future, Japan will become increasingly interested in Russia's energy resources. The two countries may cooperate in developing the natural resources of the South Kurile Islands. Finally, Tokyo wants to cooperate with Russia and China in order to counteract the proliferation of nuclear weapons. Mr Karaganov concluded that for these reasons, Japan would bring up the territorial issue less and less frequently.
However, the expert warned that if Russian power lapses again, Japan may be tempted to exploit the country's weakness.
Vladimir Skosyrev
