Japan supports Russia’s agenda for G8 summit – Ambassador Nomura

March 30 – Japan supports Russia’s agenda for the July 2006 summit of the Group of Eight industrialized countries in St. Petersburg, Japan’s Ambassador to Moscow Issei Nomura said.

“As far as I know, the main issues on the G8 summit agenda, apart from terrorism and the non-proliferation [of weapons of mass destruction], will be energy security, education and infectious diseases,” the diplomat said. “Japan welcomes the attitude of Russia for working energetically on these issues.”

“The issue of energy security that [Russian] President [Vladimir] Putin has put high on the agenda is important not only to the G8, but also to the rest of the world,” Nomura said. “A constructive discussion was held at the Moscow meeting of the G8 energy ministers, primarily on relations between energy producing and importing countries.”

The Japanese ambassador said he hoped “Russia, which is located both in Europe and in Asia, will fully take into account the interests of the Asian-Pacific region and play an active part in discussions on the objectives of the international community.”

“Japan is ready to cooperate with Russia at all preparatory stages in order to promote the success of the St. Petersburg summit,” Nomura said.