04:26Russian President Vladimir Putin toasted friendship between Moscow and Pyongyang, quoting a proverb that sounds similar in both languages, at a state dinner in the DPRK’s (Democratic People's Republic of Korea) capital on Wednesday.
"It goes as follows: 'A close neighbour is better than a distant relative'," Putin said, adding: "I believe this folk wisdom fully reflects the nature of relations between our countries."
"I propose a toast to the further strengthening of friendship and co-operation between the Russian Federation and the Democratic People's Republic of Korea," he continued.
In turn, DPRK’s leader Kim Jong-un raised a toast to the health of the Russian president and the 'everlasting prosperity of strong Russia'.
"The government's position remains resolute - to fully and closely support and stand in solidarity with the Russian Federation in all areas, and thus forever strengthen the unbreakable DPRK-Russia friendly relations in compliance with the new inter-state treaty," Kim Jong-un added.
Putin arrived in Pyongyang for a two-day official visit on Tuesday at the invitation of DPRK’s leader Kim Jong-un. The parties are expected to discuss various topics such as the economy, energy, agriculture, trade, international relations and security.
This visit marks the Russian president's second trip to the DPRK. In 2000 he met with the incumbent leader's father and predecessor, Kim Jong Il.
Following his visit, Putin is set to travel to Hanoi at the invitation of Nguyen Phu Trong, Secretary General of the Vietnamese Communist Party's Central Committee.
'Close neighbour is better than distant relative' - Putin toasts friendship between Russia and DPRK
Russian President Vladimir Putin toasted friendship between Moscow and Pyongyang, quoting a proverb that sounds similar in both languages, at a state dinner in the DPRK’s (Democratic People's Republic of Korea) capital on Wednesday.
"It goes as follows: 'A close neighbour is better than a distant relative'," Putin said, adding: "I believe this folk wisdom fully reflects the nature of relations between our countries."
"I propose a toast to the further strengthening of friendship and co-operation between the Russian Federation and the Democratic People's Republic of Korea," he continued.
In turn, DPRK’s leader Kim Jong-un raised a toast to the health of the Russian president and the 'everlasting prosperity of strong Russia'.
"The government's position remains resolute - to fully and closely support and stand in solidarity with the Russian Federation in all areas, and thus forever strengthen the unbreakable DPRK-Russia friendly relations in compliance with the new inter-state treaty," Kim Jong-un added.
Putin arrived in Pyongyang for a two-day official visit on Tuesday at the invitation of DPRK’s leader Kim Jong-un. The parties are expected to discuss various topics such as the economy, energy, agriculture, trade, international relations and security.
This visit marks the Russian president's second trip to the DPRK. In 2000 he met with the incumbent leader's father and predecessor, Kim Jong Il.
Following his visit, Putin is set to travel to Hanoi at the invitation of Nguyen Phu Trong, Secretary General of the Vietnamese Communist Party's Central Committee.
Russian President Vladimir Putin toasted friendship between Moscow and Pyongyang, quoting a proverb that sounds similar in both languages, at a state dinner in the DPRK’s (Democratic People's Republic of Korea) capital on Wednesday.
"It goes as follows: 'A close neighbour is better than a distant relative'," Putin said, adding: "I believe this folk wisdom fully reflects the nature of relations between our countries."
"I propose a toast to the further strengthening of friendship and co-operation between the Russian Federation and the Democratic People's Republic of Korea," he continued.
In turn, DPRK’s leader Kim Jong-un raised a toast to the health of the Russian president and the 'everlasting prosperity of strong Russia'.
"The government's position remains resolute - to fully and closely support and stand in solidarity with the Russian Federation in all areas, and thus forever strengthen the unbreakable DPRK-Russia friendly relations in compliance with the new inter-state treaty," Kim Jong-un added.
Putin arrived in Pyongyang for a two-day official visit on Tuesday at the invitation of DPRK’s leader Kim Jong-un. The parties are expected to discuss various topics such as the economy, energy, agriculture, trade, international relations and security.
This visit marks the Russian president's second trip to the DPRK. In 2000 he met with the incumbent leader's father and predecessor, Kim Jong Il.
Following his visit, Putin is set to travel to Hanoi at the invitation of Nguyen Phu Trong, Secretary General of the Vietnamese Communist Party's Central Committee.