Russian President says three-nation projects could stabilize situation on the Korean Peninsula

Russian President says three-nation projects could stabilize situation on the Korean Peninsula

2010-11-10 04:30:59 GMT+7 (ICT)

MOSCOW, RUSSIA (BNO NEWS) -- Russian President Dmitry Medvedev on Tuesday said that the three-nation projects promoted by Russia could help to stabilize the situation on the Korean Peninsula.

President Medvedev made the comments prior to his visit to Seoul, South Korea, where he will participate in the G-20 Summit. He added that Russian firms are considering taking part in the inter-Korean joint industrial complex in the North's Kaesong and in the Mount Kumgang tourism business.

"These projects, if realized, will economically benefit Russia and the two Koreas and help stabilize situations on the Korean Peninsula," the Russian leader said.

Medvedev assured that Russia will continue to support inter-Korean dialogue and called for resolving North Korea's nuclear weapons issues through political and diplomatic methods within the framework of the six-party talks.

In addition, the Russian president said that he intends to improve economic cooperation with South Korea during the summit. He is scheduled to meet with South Korean President Lee Myung-bak in order to expand the bilateral relationship specially in Russia's Far East.

"We're interested in attracting (South Korean) investments to the Russian Far East's auto manufacturing, gas processing, information technology, construction, natural resource exploration, electric power generation and forest processing," said Medvedev.

Medvedev considers that the best possible option for sending Russian natural gas to South Korea is through North Korea, impulsing joint projects and linking the inter-Korean railway with the trans-Siberian one in order to connect with Europe.

The Russian president is expected to arrive to Seoul on Wednesday and will participate in the G-20 summit in the South Korean capital, the first time the summit will be hosted by a non G-8 country.

Medvedev added that the main tasks at the forum will be to maintain the spirit of unity and make preparations to create common activities in order to succeed in overcoming the global economic crisis.

"The G-20 countries are required to strengthen the outcomes of previous discussions and agreements. They are also tasked with establishing balanced policy guidelines that will evenly reflect the national interests of individual countries."

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