Roh, Putin Adopt 10-Point Joint Declaration at Summit Talks

By Shim Jae-yun
Korea Times Correspondent

MOSCOW - Seoul and Moscow on Tuesday declared a new era of ``mutual trust and comprehensive partnership’’ in expressing a firm determination to further develop bilateral relations.

The diplomatic language is a step forward from the ``constructive and mutually supplementary relations’’ declared in June 1994 between the two nations, according to Chong Wa Dae officials.

The two nations agreed to cooperate in the areas of energy, aerospace, information technology, and oceanic science as part of efforts to realize new relations, they said.

President Roh Moo-hyun and Russian President Vladimir Putin adopted a 10-point joint declaration at the end of their summit, promising to hold further talks on a regular basis.

The statement also features strengthened cooperation to resolve the continuing impasse over North Korea’s nuclear programs through dialogue and reconfirms the principle of a nuclear-free Korean peninsula.

``Roh and Putin also concurred on the need to closely cooperate to resolve the nuclear standoff through the on-going six-party talks,’’ presidential aide for foreign policy Chung Woo-sung said during a media briefing on the outcome of the summit meeting.

The two nations are also set to join hands to prevent the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, fight terrorism and support the role of the United Nations for the promotion of regional security.

Roh asked Putin to visit South Korea at an appropriate time and Putin said he give the request positive consideration.

Roh expressed support for Russia’s bid to join the World Trade Organization (WTO) and the Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM).

Relevant ministers signed pacts for the promotion of exchanges of space technology and visa exemption for diplomats.

``South Korea will be able to begin training astronauts from 2007 in accordance with the signing of the new agreement with Russia,’’ another Chong Wa Dae official said.

In the economic sector, the two nations signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) for the joint exploration of oilfields in Siberia and the Sakhalin Island region.

The two nations will also consider cooperation in the construction of an oil pipeline through eastern Siberia.

``The two nations will begin a technology review for the oil project in Sakhalin this year with the goal of starting oil exploration from next year,’’ the official said.

He said participation in the oil project will help the nation diversify its oil supply, which has been concentrated on Middle East nations, and secure a stable supply for crucial energy resources.

The two heads of state also agreed to expedite efforts to link the Trans-Siberian Railway (TSR) to the Trans-Korean Railway (TKR).

They also attended ceremonies to sign pacts on oil refineries and chemical products between LG in the Tatarstan Republic and Samsung’s pact for the repair and maintenance of an oil refinery in Khabarovsk.

jayshim@koreatimes.co.kr