Putin: Russia, N. Korea to develop trade mechanisms not controlled by West, to jointly oppose sanctions

MOSCOW. June 18 (Interfax) - Russia and the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) will develop mechanisms of trade and mutual settlements that are not controlled by the West and will jointly counteract illegitimate sanctions, Russian President Vladimir Putin said.

"We are also ready to closely work together to bring more democracy and stability to international relations. To do this, we will develop alternative trade and mutual settlements mechanisms not controlled by the West, jointly oppose illegitimate unilateral restrictions, and shape the architecture of equal and indivisible security in Eurasia," Putin said in his article, titled 'Russia and the DPRK: Traditions of Friendship and Cooperation Through the Years', for the Rodong Sinmun newspaper. The article has also been published on the Kremlin website.

Putin also pledged to develop humanitarian cooperation with North Korea.

"We plan to promote academic mobility between Russian and Korean higher education institutions, mutual tourist trips as well as cultural, educational, youth and sports exchanges - everything that makes communication between countries and nations people-centered, everything that enhances confidence and mutual understanding," he said.

"I am convinced that our joint efforts will take our bilateral interaction to a higher level, which will facilitate mutually beneficial and equal cooperation between Russia and the DPRK, strengthen our sovereignty, promote trade and economic ties, people-to-people contacts and, ultimately, improve the well-being of the citizens of both states," Putin said.