MOSCOW. May 19 (Interfax) - The director of Russia's Foreign Intelligence Service (SVR), former prime minister Mikhail Fradkov, has discussed a whole range of bilateral economic issues and the North Korean nuclear program issue with North Korean leader Kim Jong-il at a meeting in Pyongyang.
"Yes, yes, yes," a senior Russian diplomatic source said when asked by Interfax whether he could confirm that Fradkov had met with Kim.
"Issues were discussed that relate to the development of our bilateral relations, including economic ties, bilateral projects and Russian [North Korean] and South Korean projects, namely the gas pipe, the joining together of railroads, lying electricity transmission lines to the Republic of Korea through [North Korea]," the source said.
"Besides, the issue of humanitarian aid to North Korea was discussed - soon 50,000 tonnes of grain will go there. Naturally, the two sides exchanged opinions on the situation on the Korean Peninsula, issues relating to the nuclear problem of the Korean Peninsula," he said.