Abe Gets the Royal Treatment During Moscow Visit: Samurai-Cossack Alliance When?
On Saturday, Prime Minister of Japan, guest of honor of the St. Petersburg Forum, Shinzō Abe, continued his visit to Russia in Moscow. In St. Petersburg, the Prime Minister depicted his dream in relations with Russia. In Moscow, it became possible to discuss the specifics.
Denis Davydov will continue in greater details.
The 3rd day in Russia. This is probably the longest visit of the Japanese prime minister to our country, and it surely is one of the most solemn. The Russian and Japanese flags are automatically raised from the fuselage of Shinzō Abe's plane. There is honor guard at the ramp. Motorcyclists accompany the motorcade to the very porch of the Great Kremlin Palace. Soldiers salute leaders in the Green Living Room, where furniture is covered with gold brocade, there are cut-glass chandeliers, bronze candelabra. Everything is as it was in the 19th century. The hall rarely appears in the official chronicles. Here, Putin hosts only the most honorable guests.
Vladimir Putin: "We're glad to be able to continue the dialogue from yesterday. We've noted both the growth of trade turnover and growth of investments".
In the last year, goods turnover has increased. It is already about 20 billion dollars. Abe suggests discussing the political agenda.
Shinzō Abe: "We expressed our sincere determination to regulate the problem of the peace treaty. We are advancing specific works on joint economic activities on the four islands".
Last year, the first groups of tourists arrived at the Kuril Islands by plane from Japan. The business of the two countries has agreed on joint projects on the islands: wind energetics, greenhouse facilities. There is a friendly international crew on orbit: Russian Anton Shkaplerov, Japanese Kanai Norishige. There hasn't been a video link between the Earth and ISS in such a format yet.
Anton Shkaplerov, cosmonaut: I, Anton Shkaplerov, Roscosmos' cosmonaut, greeting you from ISS.
Vladimir Putin: "Solving tasks in space, you create a wonderful, necessary atmosphere for solving problems that we must solve here on Earth. Good luck to you".
Shinzō Abe: "There are 2 flags behind your back: the Russian and the Japanese. We also just held talks in a hall where there were flags of Russia and Japan. We agreed to continue to make great efforts for deepening of cooperation between our countries".
Leading Japanese media transmit news from the talks between Putin and Abe to their homeland instantly. The Land of the Rising Sun showed great interest to a completely non-political event. Alina Zagitova is our young Olympic champion, the main heroine of the latest Olympics. The Japanese, being so enamored of the Russian skaters, found out that the talented athlete dreams of a dog of the Akita breed, whose homeland is the Honshu Island. The fluffy gift was escorted to Russia by dozens of cameras, Shinzō Abe brought the puppy to the skater. They instantly liked each other, so they didn't want to pay attention to the journalists. The dog was called Masaru in Japan, means "the winner," to match his Russian owner. The four-legged friend will certainly help Alina to conquer new podiums.
Alina Zagitova: "I want to thank you for such a wonderful gift! You're giving Akita into good hands. I will take great care of the puppy".
The delegations have their own delight. As a result, over a dozen documents were signed in the field of digital economy, construction, public health. Vladimir Putin described the meeting as "practical" and "constructive".
Vladimir Putin: "We've discussed the issue of the peace treaty. We consider it important to patiently seek for a solution that would meet the strategic interests of both Russia and Japan, and that would be accepted by the nations of both countries".
To learn new without giving up the old is one of the principles of Japanese spirituality. A tribute to the past is the laying of a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. Shinzō Abe knelt and carefully adjusted the ribbon. In the evening Putin and Abe met again, at the Bolshoi Theater, where on stage and for the first time, a barrel of sake was broken. It's an ancient ritual that has opened celebrations in Japan for centuries. In Moscow, this was the opening of the bilateral year of Russia and Japan.
Russia and Japan will hold over 400 events in the field of culture and art, as well as business, science, and sports. Putin and Abe appeared together to congratulate the crowded hall. The Russian president noticed that no one was translating his speech into Japanese.
Vladimir Putin: "I want to congratulate you on opening the year of Russia in Japan and the year of Japan in Russia. It is a great and outstanding event for our countries and nations. As far as I understand, everyone speaks Russian and we don't need any translation? Okay, then".
After that remark, the interpreter held close to the leaders. The official part of Abe's visit ended around midnight with a small reception.
Vladimir Putin: "We will make maximum use of the opportunities of 2018 for a breakthrough in the field of humanitarian contacts between our peoples".
The famous Japanese "Kampai!" means "Bottoms up!" The didn't propose any toasts but they were clearly hopeful of success in bilateral cooperation.
Denis Davydov, Vsevolod Sychev, Vesti Nedeli.