Before that, Japanese Foreign Minister Yoriko Kawaguchi's was expected to visit Moscow in mid-October, during which he would discuss with Russian officials a "plan of action" on bilateral relations, said Losyukov.

The deputy minister said the ideas of Moscow and Tokyo on what should be done coincide in principle, adding that the two "share common opinions on many key international issues."

But he also admitted there were still some old contentious issues in bilateral relations. "There is a possibility that this 'plan of action' will help resolve them," he said.

Losyukov urged Japan to stop linking political issues with economic ones in bilateral cooperation.

The Russian side "is satisfied with the level of economic ties with Japan, but not 100 percent." "The impression is that we are unable to clear some barriers," he said.

Losyukov admitted serious concerns over the state of the Russian market among Japanese businessmen.

But at the same time, "one can hear the Japanese business circles talk about sound opportunities for cooperation in the energy sector and in maintaining a rational energy order in Asia,"he said.

(Xinhua News Agency September 20, 2002)