October 18, 2007 (LPAC)--On the eve of his visit to Japan, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov told Japanese press that Moscow is "closely" following "the current trends in the foreign policy of Japan," especially "that Japan seeks to conduct active diplomacy in Eurasia, based on its political and economic interests." Asked about potential Russian-Japanese cooperation in Siberia and the Russian Far East, Lavrov told Kyodo that Russia sees the Asia-Pacific as the "engine" of the world economy. Lavrov noted "the swift development of integration" in the region, "in which Siberia and Russia's Far East are becoming organically involved." Along with their raw materials resources, no one should forget "the potential of innovative development accumulated in these Russian regions," Lavrov said. This process "calls for closer Russian-Japanese economic and commercial ties in Siberia and the Far East." Japan, Lavrov said, has "responded promptly and keenly to the Russian Government's plans," and there will be further discussion at the meeting of the Sub-commission on Regional Cooperation of the Intergovernmental Trade and Economic Commission to be held in Vladivostok on Oct. 26.

When asked about Japan's foreign policy to create an "Arc of freedom and prosperity," Lavrov warned against the "ideologized international relations of the Cold War period," currently seen in the crisis in Iraq. Lavrov also urged caution in regard to Japanese-American cooperation on ballistic missile defense. Russia, he said, opposes ABM systems "aimed at securing military superiority." As to North Korea, cited by Japan as a reason to build ABM systems with the US, this can be better solved on the "politico-diplomatic plane," Lavrov said. "The real progress made in the six-party process on the Korean Peninsula nuclear problem is extra proof of this." Since North Korean missiles are no threat to the US at all, "the question arises about the real aim behind this missile defense system. Many experts suggest that such a missile defense system, being an element of the American global missile defense shield, could as well be used against Russian and Chinese strategic arms." This, and the developing US, Japanese, and Australian "triangle" are being closely observed by Russia, Lavrov said.