The talks were followed by the signing of bilateral documents, after which the leaders made statements for the press.
In addition, Vladimir Putin and Shinzo Abe attended the opening ceremony of the Cross Years of Russia and Japan.
The documents that were signed included a Joint Statement to Update the Action Plan to Specify the Cooperation Plan between the Russian Federation and Japan, and joint plans of action to promote cooperation in the digital economy and in enhancing performance.
A number of agreements were signed, including an investment cooperation agreement between the Russian Direct Investment Fund and SBI Holdings in financial technology and biotechnology; a cooperation agreement between the Russian Direct Investment Fund, Japan’s Marubeni Corporation and Russia’s AEON Corporation on an investment project to produce methanol and set up a chemical cluster in Volgograd; a partnership agreement in high-technology medical equipment between R-Pharm and Fujifilm, and an agreement between Transmashholding and Hitachi Limited to set up a joint venture.
In addition, a number of memorandums were signed on cooperation in construction, housing and utilities and urban development with a view to creating smart cities, and promoting cooperation between the Agency for Strategic Initiatives and JETRO, and cooperation in postal services. Russia’s Ministry of Industry and Trade, Ulyanovsk Region and Isuzu-Sollers signed an investment contract.
A day earlier the Prime Minister of Japan was a guest of honour at the St Petersburg International Economic Forum.
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Beginning of meeting with Prime Minister of Japan Shinzo Abe
President of Russia Vladimir Putin: Mr Prime Minister, dear Shinzo, colleagues,
Let me greet you again, this time in Moscow, in the Kremlin.
We are very happy to be able to continue a dialogue with you which was launched yesterday, and to talk in greater detail about our bilateral relations.
Yesterday we had an opportunity to talk about the development of trade and economic relations, both with business leaders and with you and your colleagues. We noted growth both in trade and in investment, but the key is the interest of both parties in advancing our relations. We can come back to some of these issues and discuss political collaboration.
Today we will give a start to a series of events at the Bolshoi Theatre that will entail over 400 different events in the humanitarian sphere and culture.
I am very pleased to have this opportunity.
Prime Minister of Japan Shinzo Abe (retranslated): President Putin, I would like to congratulate you on your overwhelming victory in the presidential election.
I recall that during our previous meeting in Danang Mr President expressed a hope that the results of the general election in Japan will help up realise all our plans. Indeed, I am now ready to steadily and energetically move our cooperation forward.
In Nagato we expressed our sincere resolve to settle the peace treaty problem. Our countries have started new relations since. We made advances in concrete joint economic projects on the four islands and in implementing humanitarian measures for their former residents. I expect to see a further boost to such efforts, including by using this meeting with you.
Yesterday I attended the St Petersburg International Economic Forum. It was the first time a Japanese Prime Minister took part in the event. I was there with many Japanese business leaders and tonight Vladimir Putin and I will take part in the opening of the Japan-Russia cross years.
The FIFA World Cup kicks off in Russia next month with Japan’s team among the competitors. Many football fans are looking forward to the event.
I hope that this year mutual understanding between the people of our two countries will deepen.
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