economy

A Pyongyang-Moscow direct line resumed amid the daily-growing many-sided visits and contacts between the Democratic People's Republic of Korea and the Russian Federation.

The first plane which left Moscow arrived at Pyongyang International Airport on July 28 and entered the apron in front of a terminal of the airport after passing through an arched spray.

There took place a ceremony of congratulating the resumption of the operation of the direct line.

Present at the ceremony were Yun Jong Ho, minister of External Economic Relations who is chairman of the DPRK side to the DPRK-Russia Inter-governmental Committee for Cooperation in Trade, Economy, Science and Technology, officials of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the National Aviation Administration and other relevant units and employees of the airport.

It was also attended by Alexandr Kozlov, minister of Natural Resources and Ecology who is chairman of the Russian side to the DPRK-Russia Inter-governmental Committee for Cooperation in Trade, Economy, Science and Technology, and his party, Aleksandr Matsegora, Russian ambassador to the DPRK, staff members of his embassy and the crew of the Russian plane.

DPRK flight attendants warmly welcomed the Russian crew, presenting bouquets to them.

Congratulatory speeches were made at the ceremony.

Saying that it is a great honour to take part in the ceremony to mark the resumption of the operation of the Moscow-Pyongyang direct line, Alexandr Kozlov referred to the increased cooperation between the two countries in the transport sector.

Saying that Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin, president of the Russian Federation, and Kim Jong Un, president of the State Affairs of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, concluded the treaty on comprehensive strategic partnership between the two countries to provide a firm foundation for developing the friendship between Russia and the DPRK, he stressed that the peoples of the two countries are now actually experiencing the development of the bilateral relations of friendship.

Warmly welcoming the Russian missions visiting the DPRK with the first flight for the resumption of the Moscow-Pyongyang direct line as an occasion, Yun Jong Ho said this serves as another clear demonstration of the bilateral friendly relations which are developing remarkably.

He expressed expectation and conviction that true to the noble intention of the top leaders of the DPRK and Russia, wonderful successes substantially conducive to promoting the wellbeing of the peoples of the two countries would be registered in the economic cooperation between the DPRK and Russia in the future, too.