Medvedev holds talks with N.Korea’s Kim Jong-il
ULAN-UDE. August 24. KAZINFORM Russian President Dmitry Medvedev is holding talks with reclusive North Korean leader Kim Jong-il in a closed military town in the south Siberian republic of Buryatia; Kazinform refers to RIA Novosti.
Kim, who has been on a visit to Russia since the end of last week, met with Medvedev in a hotel in the town of Sosnovy Bor.
The meeting is expected to concentrate on Pyongyang's nuclear program, energy and possible food aid for North Korea.
Talks also include a discussion of the North's $11 billion debt to the former Soviet Union, Russian Deputy Finance Minister Sergey Storchak said.
"First of all they should recognize Russia as the Soviet Union's successor," Storchak said.
He added that the second stage of the talks would be about the means of payment, since the loan had been granted in rubles at an exchange rate of 60 kopeks to the dollar.
North Korea is also currently in negotiations with Russian gas giant Gazprom about a pipeline that would be laid through its territory to neighboring South Korea. Reports suggest such a deal could be worth around $100m a year for the North.
The North Korean leader is making his first visit to Russia since 2002. He arrived in an armored train on Saturday. Rail travel is Kim's preferred mode of transport, due to a reported fear of flying.
On Tuesday, Kim visited Siberia's Lake Baikal, the world's largest lake, and a helicopter plant.
He told journalists on Wednesday his journey through Russia's Far East and Siberia had been "pleasant;" Kazinform cites RIA Novosti.
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