DPRK-Russia Ties Conducive to World Peace: DPRK Legislator SaysThe Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) hopes to promote a comprehensive relationship with Russia in the new century, so as to contribute to the prosperity of both countries and world peace.Chairman Choe Tae Bok of the DPRK Supreme People's Assembly made the remark Thursday at a banquet hosted by Russian ambassador to the DPRK Valelij Denisov to mark the first anniversary of the new DPRK-Russia Treaty of Friendship, Good-neighborliness and Cooperation. Choe said the treaty reflects the desire of the two peoples to advance cooperation and friendship, and lays a solid foundation for the further growth of bilateral ties based on mutual respect for sovereignty, non-interference in each other's internal affairs, equality and mutual benefit. He said DPRK leader Kim Jong Il and Russian President Vladimir Putin met last July and signed a joint declaration, a milestone in bilateral relations. Choe added that the DPRK is satisfied with the efforts made by the two countries to reinforce cooperation in political, economic, military, cultural and other areas in line with the joint declaration and treaty. He said the DPRK believes that through joint efforts, a traditional DPRK-Russia relationship will develop further. The DPRK hopes to see a powerful Russia with political stability, economic development and military advancement, the top legislator said, adding that it would contribute to establishing an equitable and peaceful international order. The DPRK and the former Soviet Union, traditional allies, signed the first Treaty of Friendship, Cooperation and Mutual Assistance in 1961. Their relations, which slowed following the collapse of the Soviet Union in the early 1990s, have been warm in recent years. Russian Foreign Minister Igor Ivanov visited the DPRK a year ago, when the two sides signed a new DPRK-Russia Treaty of Friendship, Good-neighborliness and Cooperation to replace the 1961 treaty. |
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