All trips by Russian officials to the Kuril Islands are aimed at facilitating the development of these remote territories, President Dmitry Medvedev said on Friday.
His comments came in the wake of Japanese concerns earlier in the day over a visit by Russian Defense Minister Anatoly Serdyukov to the disputed islands.
Japan also voiced concerns over the visits of Russian First Deputy Prime Minister Igor Shuvalov and Deputy Defense Minister Dmitry Bulgakov in December and January, respectively.
"All these visits have only one purpose: We need to prioritize the development of Kuril territories," said Medvedev, who late last year became the first Russian leader to visit the islands.
Serdyukov visited the South Kuril Islands to inspect Russian troops deployed on Iturup, Kunashir and Shikotan islands.
Both Tokyo and Moscow have laid claims to the islands since they were annexed by the Soviet Union at the end of World War II. The dispute has prevented the two countries signing a peace treaty to formally end hostilities.
Tensions between Japan and Russia reached new heights last November when Medvedev visited Kunashir, the second-largest of the four islands.
GORKI (Moscow region), February 4 (RIA Novosti)
