"We consider your visit precisely as a possibility to work together on all the issues that are of mutual interest," Putin said.

"Perhaps, owing to this circumstance, we should pay special attention to the construction of relations and their maintenance at a high level," the Russian leader said.

"Japan is not simply our neighbor, our important partner in the Asian-Pacific region. Owing to the well-known events in the political sphere and in the sphere of trade and economic relations, we have certain issues that require special attention," Putin said at the meeting with Abe.

SOCHI, May 6. /TASS/. Russian President Vladimir Putin said at a meeting with Japan’s Prime Minister Shinzo Abe on Friday that he considered Japan an important partner of Russia and intended to discuss bilateral cooperation at the talks.

Frank exchange of opinions

Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe in his turn pointed out that he hoped to have a "frank exchange of opinions" with Russian President Vladimir Putin both on a peace treaty and pressing international issues.

"Today I would like to have a frank exchange of opinions with Vladimir on bilateral agenda, such as politics, including the peace treaty and such topical international issues that we and the whole world are facing now," Abe said at a meeting with Putin.

Putin is addressed by his first name by Abe, who also uses "thou" in their talks.

The Japanese prime minister called the Black Sea resort city of Sochi "a wonderful city where it is warm."

"Remembering beautiful landscapes of Sochi, I was looking forward to today’s meeting with Vladimir, the first since last November," Abe said adding he "was very glad" to have such an opportunity.

"Since the summit held last November our relations have been promoting intensively," he went on to say. "During this period of time, the foreign ministers have had meetings. I was briefed that the talks were fruitful as the run-up to our today’s meeting."

Abe praised "the good dialogues" he had with the Russian president at the UN General Assembly in September 2015, at the G20 summit and by phone.

"I highly appreciate such contacts," he said.