(VOVworld) – Japan’s Prime Minister Shinzo Abe is considering visiting Russia in April to hold talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Japan’s Prime Minister Shinzo Abe (Photo: AFP/VNA)

The Japan Times reported Saturday that Abe aims to use the meeting to accelerate talks between the two countries on joint economic activities on the southern Kuril island held by Russia and called northern territories and also claimed by Japan .

Japanese and Russian foreign and defense ministers will resume talks on March 20 in an effort to strengthen security cooperation.

The dispute over the islands prevents Tokyo and Moscow from signing a peace treaty to formally end their World War II hostilities.