Pyongyang, February 28 (KCNA) -- The spokesman for the Foreign Ministry of the DPRK today answered a question put by KCNA as regards the visit to the DPRK of the Foreign Minister of the Russian Federation. He said:
As already reported, the Russian Foreign Minister, I. S. Ivanov, visited the Democratic People's Republic of Korea between February 9 and 10. The Foreign Minister conveyed regards to General Secretary Kim Jong Il from V.V. Putin, acting president and Prime Minister of the government of the Russian Federation, and his personal letter carrying the willingness to upgrade the traditional relations of friendship between the two countries.
During his stay in Pyongyang Foreign Minister Ivanov paid a courtesy call on the President of the presidium of the DPRK Supreme People's Assembly. Talks were held between the foreign ministers of the two countries and cordial and friendly negotiations took place between military, trade and economic officials from the DPRK and Russia. At the open-hearted and in-depth talks and negotiations the two sides agreed to comprehensively expand and upgrade the bilateral relations in political, economic, military and all other fields.
In particular, the recent signing of the DPRK-Russia treaty of friendship, good-neighborliness and cooperation marked an important occasion in putting the bilateral relations onto a new higher stage. Under the treaty the two sides are fully obliged to upgrade the friendly relations on the principle of mutual respect to national sovereignty, non-interference in other's internal affairs, equality, reciprocity, territorial integrity and other recognized international laws, and the two signatories are fully obliged neither to conclude with a third country any pact agreement nor to join in any action and measure against the sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity of the other.
The two sides recognized that to achieve the reunification of Korea on the three principles of independence, peaceful reunification and great national unity fully accords with the national interests of the Korean people and it is a great contribution to world peace and security. They stressed the need to take a joint action against all moves for aggression and war that threaten the sovereignty and stability of a sovereign state, all manner of terrorism and maneuverings against the reunification. Besides, the two sides had a wide-ranging and in-depth exchange of views on a series of international issues of mutual concern and confirmed that their stand was identical on the most of issues.
And the two sides were of the views that the U.S. intention to build "unipolar world" and its moves to establish the "National Missile Defence" system and the plan to wild the "Theatre Missile Defense" system pushed by the U.S. and Japan pose a grave threat to northeast Asia and world peace and security and that a "missile threat" from the DPRK does not exist. And the two sides agreed to closely cooperate in the international arena to frustrate those moves.
The Russian Foreign Minister's visit to the DPRK and the signing of the new treaty marked an important occasion in developing the relations between the two countries based on the long-standing friendship in conformity with a new situation. It is the view of the DPRK that the relations of friendship and good neighborliness between the DPRK and Russia will dynamically develop in the future, too, by the concerted efforts of the two sides in the spirit of the new treaty.
Nezavisimaia Gazeta's Dmitry Skosyrev reported that RF Foreign Minister Igor Ivanov's official visit to the DPRK in Pyongyang started with "down-loading of 10 tons of food aid and was crowned with the signing of the RF-DPRK Treaty on friendship, good-neighborhood and cooperation. Unlike the previous Treaty that expired in 1995, there is no article about military assistance to the DPRK.
It is noteworthy that no RF foreign ministers had visited the DPRK previously. Eduard Shevardnadze, USSR Foreign Minister, was there in 1990 and the atmosphere of his visit "was not very friendly." Unfortunately, Dmitry Skosyrev himself, Nezavisimaia Gazeta's international department chief, who accompanied Igor Ivanov on the trip to the DPRK, Japan and Vietnam, was banned by DPRK authorities "to step upon the North Korean soil ... with no reasons explained." Therefore the coverage had to be made from Tokyo. Nezavisimaia Gazeta's Dmitry Skosyrev ("MOSCOW HAS RENOVATED ITS TREATY WITH PYONGYANG," Moscow, Tokyo 1, 02/10/00)
Segodnya's Aleksandr Chudodeyev reported that RF Foreign Minister Igor Ivanov came on an official visit to the DPRK in order "to somewhat reanimate" the bilateral relations in view of the fact that the US has managed to build bridges to the "North Korean fortress of socialism."
Immediately upon his arrival, Igor Ivanov visited "the ceremony sacred
to every DPRK citizen"; that is, laying wreaths to the 30-meter high statue
of Kim Il-sung. He also brought acting RF President Vladimir Putin's
personal message to DPRK leader Kim Jong-il, but it was conveyed through DPRK
Foreign Minister Paek Nam-sun. Instead of "the scandalously known old
treaty" that "theoretically could involve Moscow in a military
adventure," the new RF-DPRK Treaty was signed in Pyongyang after 5 years of
drafting.Segodnya's Aleksandr Chudodeyev ("RUSSIA DOES
NOT HAVE TO FIGHT FOR THE D.P.R.K.," Moscow, 3, 02/10/00)
Agence France Presse reported that the DPRK's official Korean Central News Agency said on February 12 that Russian Foreign Minister Igor Ivanov and his DPRK counterpart, Paek Nam-sun, during their talks last week called for cooperation against US and Japanese efforts to set up a theater missile defense (TMD) system. Paek said, "the foreign ministers of the two countries expressed deep concern over the US and Japan's efforts to set up 'theatre missile defense' system.
Both sides shared the view that the moves to escalate tensions are a source of upsetting strategic balance, increasing the danger of war
and sparking a new arms race in Northeast Asia and the rest of the world and acknowledged the need for the countries concerned to cope with them
with concerted efforts." Paek said that Ivanov understood the
"primary and fundamental" actions needed to diffuse inter-Korean tensions are the
pullout of US troops, the dismantling of its military installations in the ROK, and the conclusion of a peace
accord between the DPRK and the US. Paek said that the DPRK clarified its position that it would
"strongly retaliate against any move to discriminate against it in the issue of satellite and missile launch that belongs to the sovereignty of
an independent state." Agence France Presse ("MOSCOW, PYONGYANG IN COOPERATION AGAINST US
MISSILES: NKOREAN MINISTER," Seoul, 2/13/00)
A DPRK-Russia treaty of friendship, good-neighborliness and cooperation was signed here during the visit. The Russian side appreciated this treaty as an important document which would occupy a page in the history of the friendly relations between the two countries. In various events held here Igor Ivanov reiterated Russia's stand to develop the bilateral relations in the spirit of the treaty. He said that there are many fields to improve relations between Russia and the DPRK, and stressed the need to direct efforts to the development of these relations.
He continued: It is necessary for the peoples of the two countries to develop exchanges in the fields of science, culture and education, and Russia is ready to abide by the spirit of this newly concluded treaty. The Russian Foreign Minister wrote in the visitor's book at the Kumsusan Memorial Palace that the Russian Federation strongly calls for the development of reciprocal and good-neighborly relations with the DPRK. During his stay in Pyongyang he expressed deep reverence for President Kim Il Sung, the great leader of the Korean people.
He visited Mangyongdae and wrote in the visitor's book that he came to know well how deeply the Korean people are revering President Kim Il Sung who made great contribution to the strengthening of the Russia-DPRK relations. He also wrote in the visitor's book at the Kumsusan Memorial Palace that President Kim Il Sung is always alive in the hearts of the Russians as an ardent champion of the friendship and cooperation between the two peoples.
Agence France Presse reported that the DPRK said on Wednesday that it has signed a treaty with Russia which deleted Russia's obligation to
send troops to the DPRK in case of war. The treaty was signed by
visiting Russian Foreign Minister Igor Ivanov and his DPRK counterpart Paek Nam-sun on the opening day of the first visit to DPRK by a top
Russian official in 10 years.
In a joint statement carried by the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA), Russia and the DPRK said, "the conclusion of
the treaty indicates a start of new stage in the development of mutual relations. Both sides will strive to further expand and develop the
mutual relations of friendship and cooperation in various fields in
conformity with the requirements stipulated in the treaty." The statement said that the treaty obliges both states "not to conclude any
treaty or agreement with a third country nor join in its action or step, if they stand against sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity
of any of the parties." The DPRK and Russia also pledged to
strengthen friendship and increase cooperation to ensure regional and global peace
while not infringing on their new relationships with other countries.
ROK officials said that the signing symbolically ended the 50-year-old ideological alliance between the former communist comrades and paved the
way for the two to forge peaceful new ties. The officials also said that
the treaty was "greatly significant" because it will use the DPRK-Russia
relationship to ensure peace and security in Northeast Asia. A senior ROK foreign ministry official said that the ROK welcomed the pact. He
also said the treaty "has laid out a foundation for the two states to develop their relationship as normal
neighboring countries." Agence France Presse ("NORTH KOREA AND RUSSIA END COLD WAR ALLIANCE WITH
NEW PACT," Seoul, 2/9/00)
Pyongyang, February 9 (KCNA) -- Talks between DPRK Foreign Minister Paek Nam Sun and his Russian counterpart Igor Ivanov took place at the Mansudae Assembly Hall this afternoon. Present at the talks were Ri In Gyu, vice-Minister of Foreign Affairs, Kim Pong Ik, vice-Minister of Foreign Trade, Lieut. General Ri Su Hyon of the Korean People's Army and other officials concerned from the DPRK side, and Russian Foreign Minister's party and Valery Denisov, Russian ambassador to Korea, from the Russian side. At the talks they exchanged their views on the issue of relations between the two countries and a series of matters of mutual concern. The talks proceeded in a friendly atmosphere.
Pyongyang, February 9 (KCNA) -- A treaty of friendship, good-neighborliness and cooperation between the DPRK and the Russian Federation was signed here today. Present there on the DPRK side were Paek Nam Sun, Foreign Minister, Ri In Gyu, vice-Foreign Minister, Kim Pong Ik, vice-Minister of Foreign Trade, Liet. General of the Korean People's Army Ri Su Hyon and other officials concerned and on the Russian side Igor Ivanov, Russian Foreign Minister, and his party and Valery Denisov, Russian ambassador to the DPRK. The two foreign ministers signed the treaty. In this regard, DPRK Foreign Minister Paek Nam Sun and Russian Foreign Minister I. Ivanov released a joint statement. The conclusion of the treaty indicates a start of new stage in the development of mutual relations, the statement noted, and said:
Both sides recognize this treaty as a fundamental legal document that provides a basis for the overall bilateral relations between the Democratic People's Republic of Korea and the Russian Federation. The treaty was concluded out of the desire of the two sides to strengthen the traditional friendly relations, good-neighborliness, mutual trust and multilateral cooperation between the two peoples, ensure peace and security in northeast Asia and the rest of the world, respecting the purpose and principles of the UN Charter, and develop the equal and reciprocal cooperation, and it does not infringe upon the interests of a third country. Both sides confirm that, on the basis of this treaty, the two contracting parties are obliged not to conclude any treaty or agreement with a third country nor join in its action or step, if they stand against sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity of any of the parties. Both sides will strive to further expand and develop the mutual relations of friendship and cooperation in various fields in conformity with the requirements stipulated in the treaty. Both sides are convinced that it entirely confirms to the national interests of all the Korean people and will contribute to peace and security of Asia and the rest of the world to put a period to the division of Korea, a constant factor of international tensions, at an early date and reunify it on the principles of independence, peaceful reunification and great national unity.
The Korea Times reported that the Voice of Russia (VOR) said on February 7 that Russian Foreign Minister Igor Ivanov will focus on security issues in Northeast Asia during his visit to the DPRK which started on Wednesday. The VOR said that Ivanov's trip to the DPRK, Japan and Vietnam would start with his meeting with DPRK leaders on the prospects of bilateral ties and the security situations on the Korean peninsula and surrounding areas.
The report said, "(Ivanov) will
focus on discussing regional security issues because the bilateral relationship
has become a major factor in maintaining stability in Northeast Asia." Russian officials have said that the new treaty, which Ivanov was to sign
while in the DPRK, would not include the military involvement clause in the previous treaty.
The Korea Times ("IVANOV TO FOCUS ON REGIONAL SECURITY ISSUES IN
PYONGYANG," Seoul, 02/08/00)
The Korea Times also reported that the Russian news agency ITAR-Tass quoted Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Grigory Karasin saying that a
friendship pact to be signed between Russia and the DPRK on Wednesday does not pose any danger to other countries. Karasin said, "the
document, which will regulate relations between Russia and the DPRK for at least the next quarter century, has been drawn up according to
principles laid down in UN statutes and international law." Karasin
also stated that the accord would contain none of the propaganda common in such documents during the Cold War.
The Korea Times ("RUSSIA, NORTH KOREA FRIENDSHIP NO THREAT TO OTHERS: MOSCOW," Seoul, 02/08/00)
Dipkouryer published a commentary by Yury Alekseyev, Russian Information Agency correspondent, which said that ROK diplomats in Moscow consider the reduction of anti-ROK propaganda in the DPRK media "a good sign from the North" and another proof that the DPRK is trying gradually to come out of its isolation. Alekseyev said that the security and stability on the Korean Peninsula is a priority of the RF's foreign policy.
RF Foreign Minister Igor Ivanov was to go to the DPRK to sign the RF-DPRK Treaty on friendship, good neighborliness, and cooperation. Alekseyev noted that by late 1998, the RF and the DPRK had agreed that the treaty should not include a clause about mutual military assistance in case of outside aggression. Ivanov plans to put a special emphasis on security issues in the region during his stay in the DPRK. Alekseyev said that bilateral economic relations will also be discussed.
During a recent press conference, DPRK Ambassador to Moscow Park Y Chung voiced the first ever DPRK official reaction to the appointment of Vladimir Putin as the acting RF President. Park said, "it will be possible to talk about the policy of Vladimir Putin as the head of state after he becomes Russia's President. Time will show." Alekseyev concluded, "Russian democratic circles hope very much that the Russian Foreign Minister's visit to the DPRK will facilitate not only political and economic cooperation between the two countries, but also a gradual rapprochement of the views on the problems of genuine, not showy democracy, as well as progressive movement of North Koreans along the democratic. Yury Alekseyev, Russian Information Agency correspondent, ("NORTH KOREA STARTS EMERGING FROM ISOLATION," Moscow, 2, 02/03/00)
Agence France Presse reported that Russian Foreign Minister Igor Ivanov will arrive in the DPRK on February 9 for a two-day visit during which he will meet with DPRK leaders, including Kim Yong-Nam, chairman of the Presidium of the Supreme People's Assembly. The ITAR-TASS news agency said on Tuesday that Ivanov will carry a message from acting Russian President Vladimir Putin to DPRK leader Kim Jong-il.
Georgii Toloraya, deputy head of the foreign ministry's Asian department, stated, "the visit starting on Wednesday will be a symbolic commitment and a significant start of a new stage of relations based on the recognition of new realities." The report said that Ivanov hopes his visit will restore cooperation between Russia and the DPRK with the signing of a new friendship treaty, which will replace a 1961 defence pact. Toloraya also said that Ivanov will seek the DPRK's support for a global system of control over missiles and weapons technology. Toloraya stated, "we will propose that North Korea participate in this project. Both countries have come out against the creation of an anti-missile defense system of military operations in the Asian theater." Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Grigory Karasin said on February 7 that the DPRK-Russia treaty "is not aimed against a third country."
The ITAR-TASS said that the treaty is aimed at strengthening peace and stability in Asia, regulating relations between the two countries for the next quarter century, and supporting the union of the Korean peninsula with the agreement of the ROK and the DPRK. The news agency also said the two sides will discuss the political situation on the Korean peninsula and Russia's fears about the spread of nuclear weapons. Agence France Presse ("RUSSIAN VISIT TO NKOREA TO OPEN NEW ERA OF RELATIONS," Moscow, 2/8/00)