RFE/RL Based on reporting on BelTA and Regnum 12 March 2015, 17:53
North Korean Foreign Minister Ri Su Yong has called for increased economic cooperation with Belarus during a visit to the former Soviet republic.
Speaking after talks with Belarusian counterpart, Uladzimer Makey, on March 9, Ri said that Belarus and North Korea cherish the old traditions of friendship and cooperation.
"We have agreed that it is needed to create new mechanisms and formats of economic cooperation, step up interaction between foreign ministries," Ri said.
Makey said that he had accepted an official invitation to visit Pyongyang, and Ri said that the exchange of visits proves that the countries are eager to enhance relations.
Makey said that "there is a similarity of approaches by Belarus and the Democratic People's Republic of Korea to many issues on the international agenda."
Ri arrived to the Belarusian capital on March 8 and is expected to stay in the country until March 12.
