Russia ready to discuss Japan participation in modernization.

Tokyo, Feb 13 (Itar-Tass) Russia is ready to discuss thepossibilities for active participation of Japanese companiesin the Russian economy''s modernization, a Russian Minister hassaid.

Both parties, the Trade and Industry Minister ViktorKhristenko said, "hold consultations on developing cooperationin energy, including peaceful atomic energy, andtransportation of cargoes", paying attention to "such areas asmedical technologies and medicines, auto-making and thechemical industry". "We would like to develop interregionalcooperation and relations with the business community ingeneral," Khristenko noted in an interview published by amagazine yesterday.

"There are prospects in the areas of shipbuilding,aviation and electro-technical industries, space exploration,latest technologies, including nanotechnologies."

Speaking about the potential of partnership within theplans of modernization in Russia, he favoured the developmentin such areas as advanced technologies, biotechnologies anddevelopment of efficient energy sources.

"We are ready to welcome the expansion of businesspartnerships, not only in the Far East, but also in thewestern part of the RF", he said.

The publication also draws attention to hisstatement that "the basis for economic cooperation between thetwo countries now is energy. A good example here is theparticipation of Japanese companies in the development of oiland gas deposits on the Sakhalin shelf, which has createdconditions for energy supply to Japan for the long term".

"Companies of both countries could continue to discussthe prospects for expanding such cooperation", he furthersaid. (Itar-Tass)