Pyongyang, October 20 (KCNA) -- The DPRK-Russia relations of friendship boast of long history and tradition.

The traditional bilateral friendship has entered the new phase in the new century.

This friendship has developed full of vitality in line with common desire and interests amid deep interest of the leaders of the two countries.

General Secretary Kim Jong Il's visits to Russia in 2001 and to the Far Eastern region in 2002 and V.V. Putin's visit to the DPRK in July 2000 as president marked historic occasions of important significance in developing the bilateral relations of friendship.

The unofficial visit paid by Kim Jong Il to the Siberian and Far Eastern region of the Russian Federation this August served an important event in developing the bilateral relations on to a higher stage.

The summit meeting and talks held in Ulan-Ude offered a landmark occasion for boosting the traditional bilateral relations of friendship and cooperation in line with the desire and wish of the two peoples.

There was a common understanding that the development of economic cooperation including the issue of laying gas pipeline and railways would conform with the interests of the two peoples and contribute to regional prosperity. According to this practical measures to effect cooperation in energy field including the laying of gas pipeline are being actively pushed forward between the two sides.

The friendly and cooperative relations between the two countries are developing in political, economic, cultural, military and all other fields in the spirit of the agreements reached at the summit meeting and talks, the DPRK-Russia Joint Declaration, the DPRK-Russia Moscow Declaration and the DPRK-Russia treaty of friendship, good-neighborliness and cooperation.

The Russian government and people are making positive efforts to develop the bilateral relations in all fields.

To deepen and develop the history and tradition of the DPRK-Russia friendship is in concordance with the interests of the two peoples and holds crucial significance in safeguarding the peace and stability in Northeast Asia.

The DPRK government sets store by the traditional DPRK-Russia friendship.

The friendly and cooperative relations between the two countries and peoples would grow stronger thanks to their joint efforts.