During their detailed conversation, Mr Putin and Mr Koizumi discussed the relevant issues of bilateral relations and international problems. Mr Koizumi highly praised Russia’s Pacific Fleet’s command post exercises held in late August. In his turn, Mr Putin noted the importance of the Japanese Self-Defence Forces’ participation in the exercise. They both stressed the significance of military cooperation between the countries.
Discussing the practical issues of cooperation in trade, the economy and politics, Mr Putin and Mr Koizumi expressed their satisfaction with the steady implementation of the Plan of Actions, which was adopted at a Russia-Japan summit in January 2003. Discussing international issues they touched upon the results of the Beijing six-party talks on the settlement of the North Korean nuclear problem and the developments in Iraq.
The conversation was held on the initiative of the Japanese side.