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Mr Koizumi continued the topic of their telephone conversation held several days before by informing Mr Putin about the results of his recent trip to North Korea.

The Russian President congratulated the Japanese Prime Minister on the successful completion of the first Japanese-North Korean summit, pointing to the importance of normalising and developing relations between the two countries for security and stability in the region. The two leaders also agreed to step up cooperation in promoting an inter-Korean settlement and continue consultations on the issue in bilateral and multi-lateral format.

They pointed to the significance of the festive ceremonies marking the beginning of the reconstruction works on the railway between North and South Korea with subsequent re-linking it with the Trans-Siberian Railway. During the conversation, they said it was necessary for the parties concerned to actively participate in the implementation of the project, which is of great importance to an inter-Korean settlement and regional inter-Korean cooperation.

The heads of state also discussed practical issues of preparation for the Prime Minister’s official visit to Russia scheduled for early 2003.