PYONGYANG, January 30. /TASS/. North Korea is interested in developing full-fledged cooperation with Russia in political, economic and humanitarian spheres.

"Traditionally friendly relations between North Korea and Russia are being actively developed" at the moment, a North Korean Foreign Ministry spokesman said in an interview with TASS, adding that both sides want "to promote mutually beneficial cooperation and to deepen political, economic and military contacts and exchanges".

This positive trend was also reflected in a decision made by the leaders of the two countries to hold combined celebrations marking 70 years since victory over Nazi Germany in World War Two and 70 years since Korea’s liberation from Japan's 1910-1945 colonial rule, the spokesman said.

The current year in general is opening up new prospects for further development of bilateral relations, he said, noting the importance of North Korea’s economic projects with Russia.

"Implementation of large-scale projects in various spheres, including energy and railways, in accordance with high-level bilateral agreements remains the North Korean government's unchanged position," the spokesman said, stressing that it had become possible to develop economic ties "thanks to concerted efforts of the two countries."

Possible cooperation programs include the project to transport Russian natural gas to South Korea via a pipeline running through the North’s territory, reconstruction of the Trans-Korean main line and development of mineral resources.