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Russian pres. urges N.Korean cooperation in gas pipelines

Russian pres. urges N.Korean cooperation in gas pipelines

Posted August. 15, 2011 21:35,   

한국어

Russian President Dmitry Medvedev urged North Korea to cooperate in a project to build a gas pipeline and railways linking Russian and South Korea via the North.

This is the first time for a Russian president to ask Pyongyang for cooperation in a project involving the three countries.

According to the North`s Korean Central News Agency Monday, Medvedev in a congratulatory message on the 66th anniversary of Korean liberation from Japanese colonial rule to North Korean leader Kim Jong Il said, ¡°We have the intent to expand our cooperation with North Korea in all areas of mutual interest, including a plan of three nations -- Russia, North Korea and South Korea -- in the areas of gas supply, energy and railway construction."

"Realizing these plans will hold important economic significance and help stabilize the political situation in Northeast Asia, contributing to the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula."

Moscow has been discussing with Seoul and Pyongyang the construction of a gas pipeline to export its natural gas as well as the Trans Siberian Railway and Trans Korean Railway. South Korea¡¯s Korea Gas Corp, Russia¡¯s Gazprom and North Korea¡¯s Oil Ministry are discussing the project.

South Korean Foreign Affairs and Trade Minister Kim Sung-hwan told a regular news briefing last week, ¡°Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said Russia and North Korea held a consultation on the construction of a gas pipeline, and that the North also showed a positive response."



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