Russian President Vladimir Putin has approved a draft agreement for a comprehensive strategic partnership with North Korea, which will be signed during his upcoming meeting with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un.
According to the Russian news site Russia Today, this came in a presidential directive officially issued on Tuesday before Putin's arrival in Pyongyang for a two-day state visit.
The document directed Putin to "accept the proposal of the Russian Foreign Ministry, agreed upon with interested federal bodies and organizations, to sign a comprehensive strategic partnership agreement between the Russian Federation and the Democratic People's Republic of Korea." Putin allowed the Russian Foreign Ministry to make non-substantive amendments to the draft agreement.
Russian President's assistant Yuri Ushakov had indicated the preparation of a comprehensive strategic partnership agreement with North Korea, to be signed during Putin's visit to Pyongyang. He explained that the document outlines the prospects for continuing bilateral cooperation, taking into account "the relationship between the two countries in recent years, whether in international politics or in the economic field, including security issues," emphasizing that it is "not directed against a third party."
Russian President Vladimir Putin had mentioned that the longstanding friendship and good neighborliness between Russia and North Korea, based on principles of equality, mutual respect, and trust, date back over seven decades and are rich in glorious historical traditions.
Before his visit to North Korea, Putin stated that his first visit to Pyongyang in 2000 and the return visit by the Chairman of the State Defense Committee of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, Kim Jong Il, to Russia the following year, became important milestones in the relations between the two countries. Subsequently, bilateral agreements were signed outlining priorities and main directions of our multifaceted creative partnership for the coming years.
Putin emphasized that Russia and North Korea are actively working on developing a multifaceted partnership, adding that "today, as before, Russia and the Democratic People's Republic of Korea are actively working on developing a multifaceted partnership."
He noted Russia's readiness to cooperate closely to make international relations more democratic and stable. To achieve this, they will work on developing alternative mechanisms for trade and mutual settlements not controlled by the West, resist unilateral illegitimate restrictions together, and at the same time, build a structure for equal and indivisible security in Eurasia.
Putin added that they will enhance human interaction between the two countries through plans to intensify academic mobility between Russian and Korean universities, increase mutual tourist trips, cultural, educational, youth, and sports exchanges. He stated that everything that "adds a human touch" to communication between countries and peoples strengthens mutual trust and understanding.
Putin expressed full confidence that through joint efforts, they will be able to elevate bilateral interaction to a higher level, contributing to the development of mutually beneficial and equal cooperation between Russia and North Korea, strengthening their sovereignty, deepening trade and economic relations, improving communication in the humanitarian field, and ultimately enhancing the well-being of citizens of both countries.
