opinion

Chairman Kim Jong Il paid an unofficial visit to Russia’s Siberian and Far Eastern regions from August 20 to 25 in 2011 at the invitation of Russian President Dmitri Anatolievich Medvedev.

The Russian government and people in the relevant regions warmly welcomed the DPRK leader and offered him sincere hospitality as he was visiting their country to further consolidate and develop traditional friendly relations between the two countries.

Kim Jong Il and Medvedev met in Ulan-Ude, capital of the Republic of Buryatia, on August 24 and had talks in a warm and friendly atmosphere.

At the talks the leaders of the two countries unanimously emphasized that further consolidating and developing bilateral relations of friendship and cooperation with a long history and tradition not only conformed to the aspirations and fundamental interests of the peoples of the two countries but also was of great importance in developing Northeast Asian region and defending global peace and security.

The talks stressed the need to expand and develop friendship, equality and cooperation for mutual benefit between the two countries on the basis of the spirit of the DPRK-Russia Joint Declaration adopted in Pyongyang in 2000 and DPRK-Russia Moscow Declaration in 2001 and the Treaty of Friendship, Good-neighbourliness and Cooperation between the DPRK and the Russian Federation.

That evening President Medvedev gave a grand banquet at the presidential guesthouse in Ulan-Ude to welcome the DPRK leader to his country.

Kim Jong Il visited several cities and many units in Siberian and Far Eastern regions for six days.

He expressed thanks to Medvedev, Russian leading officials, several regional governments and people for warmly welcoming him in visiting places and offering him sincere hospitality during his visit.

Kim Jong Il’s 6 000-kilometre-long journey to Russia’s Siberian and Far Eastern regions was of great significance in consolidating and developing the traditional DPRK-Russia friendship to a higher stage. 

As in the past, the DPRK will exert sincere efforts to develop friendship between the two countries, and strive to achieve international justice and establish a new international order hand in hand with Russian government and people on the principle of respecting each other’s sovereignty, non-interference in internal affairs, equality and mutual benefit.