Presidents Vladimir Putin, Kim Jong-un Agree to Take Bilateral Cooperation to New Level

PYONGYANG – Russian President Vladimir Putin and the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) (North Korea) leader Kim Jong-un have discussed taking bilateral cooperation to a new level, Korean Central Telegraph Agency (KCNA) reported on Friday.

“At the talks the sides discussed the issue of expanding and developing bilateral cooperation in all spheres. Both sides decided to give an additional impetus to the work of the inter-governmental commission on trade-economic and scientific-technical cooperation between DPRK [Democratic People’s Republic of Korea] and Russia, to take active measures in different spheres to take mutually beneficial trade and economic relations between the two countries to a new level,” KCNA said.

Kim and Putin also discussed “strengthening cooperation at the highest level, including holding summits, as well as expanding exchange and cooperation between the governments, parliaments, regions and organizations of both sides in various formats,” KCNA added.

“The Supreme Leader noted that taking Korean-Russian relations to a new level in accordance with demands of a new century is a responsbility before the epoch and history,” the agency stressed. Kim “confirmed his determination to open a new period of flourishing Korean-Russian relations in accordance with plans of former leaders,” KCNA noted.

The meeting between Russian President Vladimir Putin and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un was warm, friendly and touching, KCNA continued.

“The Supreme Leader was warmly greeted by [Russian] President Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin. The Supreme Leader had a very touching first meeting with Putin and happily exchanged greetings with him,” KCNA said.

During bilateral talks, the two leaders “had a constructive conversation in the friendly and sincere atmosphere,” KCNA added noting that the conversation lasted for a while.

“The leaders of DPRK [Democratic People’s Republic of Korea] and Russia both agreed that the meeting and talks became a very useful event which has great significance for sustainable and healthy development of relations between the countries that have had a long history and tradition of friendship,” KCNA noted.

North Korean leader Kim Jong-un made his first visit to Russia on Wednesday. Kim met with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Thursday on the Russkyisland in Vladivostok. The leaders discussed the condition and prospects for developing bilateral relations, considered in detail issues pertaining to the situation on the Korean Peninsula, including the problem of denuclearization. The summit in Vladivostok was the first meeting between Putin and Kim.

TASS

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