Japan's Abe, Russia's Putin agree to promote economic programs on disputed islands in Pacific

Russian President Vladimir Putin and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe have agreed to further work on joint economic activities on disputed Pacific islands known in Russia as the Kuriles and in Japan as the Northern Territories. The pair met in Vladivostok on Monday ahead of an annual economic forum.Although both leaders admitted the territorial issue was difficult to resolve in the near future, they pledged to work harder towards that goal.They added that bilateral relations are continuing to grow as a result of their repeated meetings. Abe also confirmed that both countries would make every effort to conclude a post-World War II peace treaty, which Tokyo and Moscow have not signed due to the territorial row.