Pyongyang: North Korea and Belarus have engaged in discussions to enhance cooperation across several sectors, notably agriculture and machinery. This dialogue occurred during a meeting of their intergovernmental joint committee for trade and economic cooperation, as reported by North Korea's state media on Friday.
According to Yonhap News Agency, the meeting took place in Pyongyang, with North Korea represented by Vice Premier Jong Myong-su and Belarus by Deputy Prime Minister Yuri Shuleiko. The Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) highlighted that the discussions focused on practical mutual cooperation in sectors such as agriculture, machinery, public health, trade, and education.
The two countries signed a protocol following the third session of the joint trade committee, though the details were not disclosed by the KCNA. The meeting marked the first session of the joint cooperation committee since its second session in June 2006. A Belarusian government delegation, led by Shuleiko, arrived in Pyongyang on Tuesday for the meeting.
Belarus is among the few nations North Korea is reaching out to for economic cooperation, especially in light of the stringent international sanctions imposed on the country. Belarus has shown support for Russia's actions in Ukraine, while North Korea has contributed weapons, military equipment, and troops to aid Moscow.
The potential cooperation in machinery between North Korea and Belarus could potentially violate a United Nations Security Council resolution. This resolution prohibits U.N. member states from supplying or selling any industrial machinery to North Korea, either directly or indirectly.
The KCNA also reported that the Belarusian delegation met with Premier Park Thae-song and visited several landmarks in Pyongyang, including Juche Tower, Kim Il Sung University's digital library, and Mangyongdae Children's Palace.