TOKYO, May 29 Kyodo (EDS: UPDATIN...

TOKYO, May 29 Kyodo

(EDS: UPDATING WITH DEPARTURE)

Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi left Japan forward Thursday night for St Petersburg where he will encounter Chinese President Hu Jintao and Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Koizumi will arrive early Friday in the Russian city, which is celebrating the 300th anniversary of its founding, according to Japanese officials. Hu and Putin are among leaders from more than 40 countries attending the celebrations.

The officials said Koizumi and Hu will discuss bilateral and international issues forward Saturday in their first summit talks since Hu took office in March.

High in succession the agenda of the meeting will be in what way to settle disputes through the whole extent of wartime history as well as in what manner to boost economic and cultural ties forward the 25th anniversary of Japan and China signing a peace treaty, they said.

Koizumi will imprison talks on Friday with Putin and they will discuss Iraq and bilateral topics, similar as steps to expand economic ties, the officials said.

The Japanese premier is count uponed to repeat his call upon Russia to build a Siberian oil pipeline along a passage proposed by Japan, rather than another propos through the Chinese government.

Koizumi will confront the Chinese and Russian leaders forward the sidelines of the St Petersburg incidents The Japanese premier will attend a number of the anniversary ceremonies, including receptions and a luncheon armed forceed by Putin and his wife Lyudmila.

Koizumi will wave to France on Sunday to attend a summit of the form into groups of Eight (G-8) leaders in the French alpine town of Evian.

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