DPRK, Russia Sign Joint DeclarationKim Jong Il, leader of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) and visiting Russian President Vladimir Putin on Wednesday signed a joint declaration following two hours of talks.The two leaders exchanged views on DPRK's missile development, bilateral relations and economic cooperation, said DPRK's official KCNA news agency. DPRK Supreme People's Assembly President Kim Yong Nam was present at the talks and the signing ceremony. On the Russian side were deputy Prime Minister Ilya Klebanov, Foreign Minister Igor Ivanov and Defense Minister Dmitriyevich Sergeyev. It is reported that Putin invited Kim to visit Russia during the talks. Putin acknowledged that relations between the two countries had been at a low point and described the friendship treaty signed in February as a positive step. He had promised to work toward peace on the Korean Peninsula before the visit. Putin arrived here Wednesday afternoon for a two-day visit on the second leg of his Asian tour. It is the first ever visit to DPRK by a Russian leader. He will later travel to Okinawa, Japan for the Group of Eight summit. |
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