Posted on 08/17/2005 2:57:20 PM PDT by Grzegorz 246
VLADIVOSTOK, Russia (AFP) - President Vladimir Putin's envoy to Russia's far eastern region, Konstantin Pulikovsky, met with North Korean leader Kim Jong-Il in Pyongyang to discuss bilateral economic relations, Pulikovsky's spokesman told AFP.
Pulikovsky complained to Kim that "the development of trade and economic cooperation between the two countries (Russia and North Korea) leaves a lot to be desired," spokesman Yevgeny Anoshin quoted the envoy as saying.
"Trade between Russia and North Korea does not exceed 150 million dollars a year (122 million euros). It is very little," Pulikovsky was quoted by Anoshin as saying, adding that trade between North Korea and Russia was not growing as fast as trade between North Korea and China, South Korea and the European Union.
Kim agreed that more efforts needed to be made to develop business cooperation between North Korea and Russia, Anoshin said.
Pulikovsky, who arrived in North Korea Saturday on an official visit, is attending celebrations marking the 60th anniversary of the country's liberation from Japanese occupation. He is to stay there until Wednesday.
Russia is one of few countries enjoying friendly relations with North Korea.
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