Russia, North Korea aim to sign defence deal to prevent dangerous activity

According to Russian State Duma Speaker Sergei Naryshkin, Choe’s visit demonstrates Pyongyang’s intention to strengthen and develop relations with Moscow, Sputnik reported.

Russia hopes to sign an agreement with North Korea on the prevention of dangerous military activities by the end of 2015, Russian State Duma Speaker Sergei Naryshkin said at a meeting with the Chairman of the DPRK's Supreme People's Assembly Choe Thae Bok Tuesday:

"We consider it appropriate to significantly intensify our efforts to improve and to update the legal framework of our relations. We consider it possible before the end of the year to sign two important documents: a treaty on mutual legal assistance in criminal matters and an agreement on preventing dangerous military activities."

Both agreements are at a "high level of readiness," and Russia hopes to sign both of them before the end of 2015. Naryshkin added that Moscow expects work on the agreement on mutual exchanges to be completed soon.

"In turn, I would like to assure you that the Russian leadership’s policy for good neighborly relations, development of friendship and mutually beneficial cooperation between our two countries remains unchanged," Naryshkin said.

Diplomatic relations between Russia and North Korea were established in 1948. Relations between the countries diminished following the dissolution of the Soviet Union, but improved in the 2000s. Russia and North Korea have been increasing their cooperation in recent months.

In April, Minister for the Development of the Russian Far East Alexander Galushka said that the two countries were planning to discuss an easing of the visa regime for travel between their states, and deputy chair of the upper house of the Russian Parliament Evgeny Bushmin said that bilateral trade should stepped up to $1 billion annually.