Y. Noda reminded Medvedev about longstanding territorial dispute

Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda held separate telephone talks Tuesday with his Chinese, Russian and South Korean counterparts, with the new Japanese leader vowing to build favorable relations with the respective neighboring countries, reports mdn.mainichi.jp news site.

Noda and Russian President Dmitry Medvedev agreed to continue talks in a calm manner on a longstanding territorial dispute between the two nations, they said.

The Japanese premier told Medvedev that Tokyo aims to build a "true friendship" with Russia and for that purpose, it is necessary to settle the territorial dispute and sign a peace treaty.

Medvedev said Russia is ready to discuss the issue with Tokyo in a "calm and good atmosphere."

Dmitry Medvedev congratulated Yoshihiko Noda on being elected Prime Minister and approved for the post.

Yoshihiko Noda thanked Dmitry Medvedev for the congratulations and expressed his gratitude for Russia’s assistance in the relief efforts following the natural and industrial disaster in March.

During the conversation, Dmitry Medvedev and Yoshihiko Noda stressed their commitment to maintaining a constructive dialogue at the highest level. The President of Russia and the Prime Minister of Japan stressed their support for further developing bilateral relations in trade, investment, science, technology and humanitarian spheres in the spirit of friendship and neighborliness, the sources report.