Japanese PM preparing for meeting with RF president

YOKOHAMA, November 12 (Itar-Tass) -- Japanese Prime Minister Naoto Kan
prepares for a separate bilateral meeting with Russian President Dmitry
Medvedev during the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Forum summit that
will take place in the city of Yokohama from November 13-14, Cabinet
Secretary-General Yoshito Sengoku told a press-conference on Friday.
He said he was informed about time setting for the meeting.
Earlier, Kan said he intended to raise the theme of the Southern
Kuriles at a possible meeting with Medvedev during the APEC summit.
The Russian president's press secretary Natalia Timakova confirmed in
Seoul on Friday that the Russian leader planned a meeting with the
Japanese premier in Yokohama. "President Medvedev plans to have a meeting
with the Japanese prime minister at the APEC summit. At present the
schedules of the two leaders are being discussed," she said.
On the agenda are issues related to developing bilateral relations, the press secretary said. The Japanese side traditionally at such meetings raises the subject of the Kuril range, she noted. Russia's stand on the subject is unchanging, she stressed.
The Russian president will leave for Japan this Friday after the G20 summit in Seoul.
Medvedev on November 1 visited the Southern Kuriles. It was the first visit by a Russian leader to the islands. Japan, which considers the islands its "northern territories", presented a diplomatic demarche in this connection.
Medvedev is ready to discuss all issues that will be raised during his planned meeting with the Japanese premier in Yokohama, the Russian
president's aide Sergei Prikhodko said earlier. "We are ready to discuss any themes," he noted.