opinion

The DPRK-Russia friendly relations have a deep and strong root. They are the invincible ties between comrades-in-arms which have been consolidated through all the rough storms of history.

Chronicled in the annals of the DPRK-Russia friendship which is steadily developing are the undying exploits of Chairman Kim Jong Il.

He visited the Russian Federation several times to consolidate the ties of friendship between the two countries and made an immortal contribution to ensuring peace and security in Asia and the rest of the world.

He visited several places of the Russian Federation as he stayed there between July 26 and August 18 2001 at the invitation of President Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin. And he met and had talks with the Russian President two times and had a friendly talk with many leading officials of the central and local governments including presidential envoys and regional governors. 

At the meetings and talks between the top leaders of the two countries, they informed each other of their successes and experience, had a serious exchange of views on the issue of further consolidating and developing the DPRK-Russia friendship and other issues of mutual concern including the international situation and reached a consensus of views on all issues discussed.

They unanimously recognized that further developing the traditional bilateral friendly and cooperative relations with a deep historical root serves the fundamental interests of the peoples of the two countries in the new century and makes a significant contribution to peace and security in Asia and the rest of the world.

They signed the DPRK-Russia Moscow Declaration, thus providing another powerful driving force for achieving peace and security in the Asia-Pacific and the whole world and prosperity of and equal mutual cooperation between the two countries.

President Putin was very glad that Chairman Kim Jong Il visited Russia in the first year of the new century and showed warm hospitality to him during his visit to the Russian Federation.

On his way to Moscow, the DPRK leader stayed in Omsk City, one of the major industrial cities of Russia, from July 31 to August 1.

After finishing his official visit to the Russian Federation, he paid an unofficial visit to the heroic city of St Petersburg on August 6-7.

During his visit, he went round different places of the city with a long history, culture and tradition of struggle and highly praised the Russian people for successfully preserving and glorifying the cultural legacies associated with their wisdom and talents.

His visit to and stay in the Russian Federation was successfully completed under the concern and hospitality of President Putin and under the warm welcome by the Russian people.

The historic visit to the Russian Federation he made covering more than 20 000km distance for over 20 days was an epochal event which marked a new turning point in further consolidating and developing the traditional DPRK-Russia friendship.