North Korea, Belarus hold first economic talks in nearly two decades

By Anadolu staff

ANKARA (AA) - North Korea and Belarus have resumed high-level economic talks for the first time in 19 years, discussing avenues to enhance cooperation across various sectors, according to state-run Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) on Thursday.

A Belarusian delegation led by Deputy Prime Minister Yuri Shuleiko arrived in Pyongyang on Tuesday to attend the third session of the intergovernmental joint committee for trade and economic cooperation. The last such meeting was held in Minsk in June 2006.

North Korean Vice Premier Jong Myong-su said the visit would help strengthen friendly ties, expressing hopes that bilateral cooperation and exchanges will become more active.

Shuleiko, in turn, emphasized the importance of boosting cooperation to improve the welfare of both nations.

The renewed talks come amid growing coordination between North Korea and Belarus. In July 2024, top diplomats from Pyongyang and Minsk also held a meeting in the North Korean capital to advance bilateral relations.