Japan and Russia will likely be able to put needless squabbles behind them and hold practical negotiations over a long-standing territorial dispute, legislative leader Gennadiy Seleznev said Tuesday.
Seleznev, chairman of the State Duma, expressed hope that talks would move forward if the sides ensure the dispute does not obstruct the development of overall bilateral relations.
"Our discussions every so often run into the territorial problem, and we forget about the other issues," Seleznev, 55, said in an interview with Kyodo News prior to a visit to Japan starting Sunday. "Wars of words and discussions are fine, but if we make sure this does not get in the way of development in the relationship, we can anticipate talks will move forward."
The lower chamber chief, however, noted that he does not expect the gap between Tokyo and Moscow to begin to close any time soon on the row over ownership of islands off Hokkaido.