With regard to this new forum, the Russian side proposed including representatives of the regional authorities in this mechanism from the Russian side. Once the two governments have agreed to hold the Deputy Ministers' Meeting next January, we will work out the modality before the actual meeting takes place in Moscow. While we endeavor to develop the scope of cooperation and deepen relations, we would like to tackle the issue related to the signing of the peace treaty between the two countries. Both countries have got to tackle many issues. But if we talk about the issue of the peace treaty between the two countries, we have to begin the negotiations on the treaty itself.
Time is rather limited.
We have to do our utmost to sign the treaty by the year 2000. Therefore, we would like to concentrate on the wording, etc., as far as signing the peace treaty is concerned. However, as I have told you, before the Deputy Minister-level Meeting takes place in January, we have to work out and agree on the actual modality of the meeting itself. When I say that we have got to work out the modality of the new forum, it means that before the actual meeting takes place in Moscow next January, we have got to agree on who will actually be included in the new forum. However, once again, in a general sense, I would like to express that while both countries have got to tackle various issues simultaneously, if we really talk about the issue of the peace treaty, within a limited time, we have to concentrate on negotiating the treaty itself, and experts should be involved in this.