Russia and Japan to consult on Pacific oil pipeline laying

Russia and Japan are holding active consultations on the construction of a Pacific oil pipeline, Japanese Ambassador to Russia Issei Nomura said in an exclusive RIA Novosti interview on Saturday.

"Since August specialists of the two countries have been holding intensive consultations in three areas - development of oil fields, building of an oil pipeline and financing," said the ambassador.

"This work is done enthusiastically and there can be no doubt that the project, if implemented, will open up new horizons in our economic relations," he said.

"I believe that the mentioned energy projects will be beneficial to both countries. They will promote relations of interdependence not only between Japan and Russia but also in the entire Asia-Pacific region and contribute to sustained development of this region," Nomura went on to say.

In Nomura's words, Russia and Japan also plan making joint efforts in environmental protection, basing on the bilateral agreement on cooperation in environmental protection.