Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov will meet with his Japanese counterpart Katsuya Okada during his Moscow visit on December 27-28, Russian Foreign Ministry's representative Andrei Nesterenko said.

Okada's visit will be the first since the Japanese Democratic Party took office and a new government began its work.

According to Nesterenko, the sides will discuss political problems in Russian and Japanese relations, including a peace treaty and economic cooperation issues.

"In the agenda there is a wide range of issues, reflecting a rich assortment of Russian and Japanese relations, perspectives and schedule of political dialogue, intergovernmental contacts, development of trade and economic relations, investment and science and technology cooperation, and activation of ties between both countries," Nesterenko said.

According to him, one of the main topics of talks will be a peace treaty. Tokyo's continued claim over four South Kuril Islands (Iturup, Kunashir, Shikotan, and Habomai) has so far prevented Russia and Japan from signing a formal peace treaty to end World War II hostilities.

The four southern islands of the chain to the northeast of Japan were annexed by the Soviet Union after World War II.

Nesterenko said that Moscow expects deep and confidential discussions, especially in issues of effective response on growing global and regional threats.

The ministers will also discuss cooperation in the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula and the situation in Afghanistan.

MOSCOW, December 24 (RIA Novosti)

This old and idiotic conflict should not exist.
Well I hope they[ RUSSIA AND JAPAN ] will manage to solve this problem leaving the two happy :)