Russian President Dmitry Medvedev struck a deal with North Korean leader Kim Jong-il on a gas export pipeline to South Korea during talks in Russia's Buryatia region on Wednesday, RIA Novosti reports.
North Korea has been in negotiations with Russian gas giant Gazprom on a pipeline that would be laid through its territory to neighboring South Korea. Reports suggest such a deal could be worth around $100m a year for the North.
“As for gas cooperation, we have results. We’ve ordered our government bodies to establish a special commission…to outline the details of bilateral cooperation on gas transit through the territory of North Korea and the joining of South Korea to the project,” Novosti agency quoted Medvedev as saying.
Medvedev said that the technical work on the pipeline would start soon.
Kim also told Medvedev during the talks that North Korea is ready to resume six-party talks on its nuclear program without preconditions, the Russian president’s spokeswoman, Natalia Timakova, said.
The North Korean leader is making his first visit to Russia since 2002. He arrived in an armored train on Saturday. Rail travel is Kim's preferred mode of transport, due to a reported fear of flying.
On Tuesday, Kim visited Siberia's Lake Baikal, the world's largest lake, and a helicopter plant.
North Korea has been in negotiations with Russian gas giant Gazprom on a pipeline that would be laid through its territory to neighboring South Korea. Reports suggest such a deal could be worth around $100m a year for the North.
“As for gas cooperation, we have results. We’ve ordered our government bodies to establish a special commission…to outline the details of bilateral cooperation on gas transit through the territory of North Korea and the joining of South Korea to the project,” Novosti agency quoted Medvedev as saying.
Medvedev said that the technical work on the pipeline would start soon.
Kim also told Medvedev during the talks that North Korea is ready to resume six-party talks on its nuclear program without preconditions, the Russian president’s spokeswoman, Natalia Timakova, said.
The North Korean leader is making his first visit to Russia since 2002. He arrived in an armored train on Saturday. Rail travel is Kim's preferred mode of transport, due to a reported fear of flying.
On Tuesday, Kim visited Siberia's Lake Baikal, the world's largest lake, and a helicopter plant.