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President of Russia Vladimir Putin: Mr Chairman, friends, I am glad to see you.

Thank you for accepting our invitation and coming to Russia today. Our countries have old and very good relations. This year we mark the 70^th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties.

As you know, we have always endeavoured to resolve all the problems around the Korean Peninsula. As such, I would like to note that, of course, we welcome the contacts between the leader of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea and the President of the Republic of Korea.

We also welcome and praise the outcome of the meeting between the leader of North Korea, comrade Kim Jong-un, and US President Donald Trump that took place recently, on June 12. We proceed from the premise that this is, of course, just the first step towards a full settlement, but the step was taken thanks to both leaders’ good will. Of course, this creates conditions for further progress and reduces the overall level of tensions around the Korean Peninsula.

The entire world was apprehensive, because this may have had a very dire outcome, even a large military conflict. Thanks to this meeting, a possible negative scenario has been postponed. On the contrary, now there are prospects of resolving the problems by peaceful political and diplomatic means.

Russia has always called for this and taken the necessary steps. We are ready to continue this work and make all necessary efforts to establish ties, including in economic cooperation, together with you.

I would like to re-extend, and ask you to convey to the leader of North Korea Kim Jong-un, our invitation to visit Russia; for example, as part of the Eastern Economic Forum in Vladivostok this September. Or it can be done separately; we can schedule this meeting regardless of international events between our foreign ministries.

We are delighted to see you. Welcome!

Chairman of the Presidium of the Supreme People's Assembly of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea Kim Yong-nam (retranslated): Thank you very much.

Mr President, I listened to your remarks with great attention. Above all, I have the honour to convey to you, with special respect, sincere regards from Chairman of the State Council of the DPRK Comrade Kim Jong-un. It is also my honour to use this opportunity to convey to you a message from the Chairman of the DPRK State Council. (Presents the document.)

Vladimir Putin: Thank you.

Kim Yong-nam: I have warm memories from my visits to Russia, my valuable meetings with you, Mr President, when I participated in the opening ceremony of the Olympic Games in Sochi and celebrations of the 70^th anniversary of Victory in the Great Patriotic War. I am also very pleased to meet with you today, Mr President.

Please accept once again our sincere congratulations on your recent re-election to the post of President of the Russian Federation with substantial, absolute support of the people of Russia.

Mr President, also accept our sincere congratulations on the upcoming major event which is the opening of the 2018 FIFA World Cup. We sincerely hope that this championship will be an important opportunity to celebrate the great Russian nation across the world, and also to maintain economic growth and promote physical fitness and sport in your country.

As you are aware, Mr President, recently, in April, during the 3^rd plenary session of the Central Committee of the Workers’ Party of Korea of ​​the 7^th convocation, Chairman of the Workers’ Party of Korea Comrade Kim Jong-un, put forward a new strategy according to which our country will concentrate all its resources and efforts on economic construction.

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