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Moscow, August 4, 2001 (KCNA) -- The Moscow declaration of the DPRK and the Russian Federation was released here today. The declaration reads:
Comrade Kim Jong Il, Chairman of the National Defence Commission of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, stayed in Russia from July 26, 2001, and paid an official visit to it on August 4-5 at the invitation of his excellency V.V. Putin, President of the Russian Federation. The meeting and talks of the top leaders of the DPRK and Russia held in Moscow in the first year of the new century are an event of special significance in the history of the bilateral friendly relations. And they have marked a historic landmark that will be conducive to strengthening peace and security in the Asia-Pacific region and the rest of the world. The top leaders of the two countries had a wide-range exchange of views on the matters related to the bilateral relationship and the international issues of mutual concern in a friendly and candid atmosphere, and have agreed as follows:
1. The DPRK and the Russian Federation will contribute to establishing a just, new world system based on the principle of priority of law, equality, mutual respect and mutually beneficial cooperation in order to preserve global stability in the new century and ensure reliable security of all the members of the international community in political, economic, social and cultural, information and other fields. Both sides recognized the importance of strengthening the major role of the United Nations in world affairs and the need to prevent any attempts detrimental to the UN Charter and the principles and norms of the international law. Disputes existing in the world should be settled through peaceful and political negotiations, not by confrontation. Recognizing that independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity should be strictly ensured in international relations, the DPRK and the Russian Federation confirm that each state has the right to have an equal degree of security. The two sides stressed the importance for the international community to join efforts to oppose the threat of spread of international terrorism and belligerent separatism.
2. Taking note of the fact that the 1972 ABM treaty serves as a cornerstone of strategic stability and a basis for further reduction of strategic offensive weapons, the top leaders of the two countries expressed the resolution to make every possible contribution to strengthening the international security in the new century, too. The side of the DPRK affirmed that its missile program is of peaceful nature and, accordingly, poses no threat to any country that respects its sovereignty. The Russian side welcomed this stand of the DPRK.
3. The two top leaders unanimously recognized that to further develop the traditional DPRK-Russia friendly and cooperative relations with deep historical roots conforms to the fundamental interests of the two peoples in the new century and is greatly conducive to ensuring peace and security of asia and the rest of the world. Both sides reconfirmed the historic significance of the DPRK-Russia joint declaration signed by the two top leaders on July 19, 2000, and the DPRK-Russia treaty of friendship, good-neighbourliness and cooperation signed on february 9, 2000, and agreed to expand and develop on the basis of these documents the friendly relations for peace and stability in northeast asia and the rest of the world and for prosperity and equally and mutually beneficial cooperation between the two countries.
4. The two top leaders agreed on detailed orientation and measures to further develop the bilateral cooperation in politics, the economy, military, science and technology, culture and other fields and expressed satisfaction at a series of relevant agreements concluded.
5. Both sides promised to give concrete shape to the agreements already reached between them on cooperation in trade and economy and settle the issues of the past related to bilateral clearance and, on this basis, carry out on a priority basis the plans for the reconstruction of the enterprises built by joint efforts, those in the field of electricity in particular, and gave their governments instructions in this regard. In order to carry out a series of bilateral plans, the Russian side confirmed its intention to use the method of drawing financial resources from outsiders on the basis of understanding of the Korean side.
6. Both sides declared that the work of linking the DPRK-Russia railways has entered the full-scale stage, committing themselves to exert all necessary efforts to carry out the plan for building railways linking the north and the south of the Korean peninsula, Russia and Europe on the principle of the mutual interests recognized in the worldwide practice.
7. The two top leaders reached a consensus of views on the fact that to support the Korean people in their efforts to settle the issue of the country's reunification independently and peacefully by themselves according to the June 15, 2000, north-south joint declaration will contribute to solving the issue of Korea's reunification and held that outsiders' obstructions to this process should not be allowed. The Russian side confirmed that it respects the agreements between the north and the south of Korea in this regard and firmly supports the continuation of the inter-Korean dialogue free from foreign interference and affirmed the readiness to play a constructive and responsible role in positive process on the Korean peninsula in the future, too.
8. The DPRK explained the stand that the pullout of the U.S. forces from South Korea is a pressing issue which brooks no delay in ensuring peace and security in the Korean peninsula and northeast Asia.
The Russian side expressed its understanding of this stand and stressed the need to ensure peace and stability on the Korean peninsula by non-military means. The Russian side welcomed the active establishment of official relations between the DPRK and a number of European states and international organizations and said it sincerely wishes successes at the talks between the DPRK and such countries as the U.S. and Japan. Comrade Kim Jong Il, Chairman of the DPRK National Defence Commission, expressed thanks for the cordial hospitality accorded by the russian side to him during the visit and invited his excellency V.V. Putin, President of the Russian Federation, to visit the DPRK again at a convenient time. The invitation was accepted with pleasure. Kim Jong Il Chairman of the DPRK of NDC V.V. Putin President of Russian Federation