TOKYO, November 15. /TASS/. North Korea and Russia will continue to strengthen their neighborly relations and cooperation in all spheres, taking them to new heights, North Korea’s Minister of External Economic Relations Yun Jong Ho said on Wednesday.

A Russian delegation, led by Minister of Natural Resources and Environment Alexander Kozlov arrived in Pyongyang on Wednesday to attend a meeting of the Russian-North Korean intergovernmental commission. The commission is co-chaired by Kozlov and Yun Jong Ho.

At a reception to greet the Russian delegation, the North Korean minister said thanked "the Russian friends for making positive efforts to implement the agreements reached at the historic meeting of the top leaders of the DPRK and Russia."

He emphasized that the two countries will continue close contacts "in order to further strengthen the traditional ties of DPRK-Russia good neighborliness and cooperation, further revitalize the bilateral relations in all fields and develop them onto a new high stage."

According to KCNA, Kozlov underscored that "the DPRK, which is fighting shoulder to shoulder in the forefront against the dominationist forces, has extended full support to Russia over the regional and international issues."

He expressed hope that the 10th meeting of the Russian-North Korean intergovernmental committee for cooperation in trade, economy, science and technology would contribute to promoting the friendship between the two countries and the well-being of their peoples, thanks to the positive efforts of both sides.