TOKYO, June 28 (RAPSI) - The unsettled territorial dispute between Russia and Japan will not hinder their cooperation, Hideki Uyama, head of the Russia section at the Japanese Foreign Ministry's Europe Department, told journalists. 

"The policy of the Japanese government is to promote cooperation with Russia in all areas. At the same time, we will search for a solution to this difficult issue," the Japanese diplomat said, adding that Japanese-Russian "political dialogue is developing at a commendable pace."

Mr. Uyama confirmed that Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov plans to visit Japan in the fall, "possibly in October or November." He said the visit's agenda will include talks on a peace treaty, and the visit itself will be preceded by consultations between the two countries' deputy foreign ministers. The Kremlin earlier said they are planned for August.

"We do not know yet the direction these talks may take, but the deputy foreign ministers will hold consultations to consider possible aspects of these discussions," Hideki Uyama said. "We need to bridge the wide gap in our positions and to find an acceptable solution."

Mr. Uyama emphasized that Japan believes a peace treaty can only be signed after settling the issue of the Kuril Islands. "So far, our official position is that if Russia recognizes the Japanese ownership of the islands, we will adopt a flexible approach to the issue of the deadline and the conditions for their return to Japan," he said.

Japan claims sovereignty of the four Kuril Islands - Iturup (Etorofu), Kunashir (Kunashiri), Shikotan and Habomai, referring to the bilateral Treaty of Commerce and Navigation (1855). Tokyo said the islands were handed over to the Soviet Union as a condition for a peace treaty between the two countries after World War II. Ultimately, however, Russia did not sign the treaty.

Moscow claims that Russia's sovereignty over the territory, which was acknowledged internationally, is indisputable.