Kuril islands to be discussed at Baikal economic forum

A round-table conference devoted to Russian-Japanese relations and, in particular, to the problem of the Kurils, will be held during the Baikal economic forum due next September.

Journalists learned this on Wednesday from Mikhail Margelov, Chairman of the International Committee of the Federation Council (Upper Chamber of the Russian Parliament) after a meeting with a delegation of the house of representatives of the Japanese parliament.

The decision was taken at the same meeting that the Kuril problem would be discussed at the Baikal economic forum.

The round-table conference will also discuss bilateral relations between Russia and Japan, the prospects of development and problems standing in the way to the improvement of relations between the two countries, said Margelov.

Speaking of the Russian-Japanese summit due to be held either in December of the current year or in January next year, Margelov noted that the parliamentarians of the two countries "intend to take part in the preparations to the summit."