Kim Jong-Il has long-standing invitation to Russia - Lavrov

MOSCOW. Aug 8 (Interfax) - North Korean leader Kim Jong-Il has a long-standing invitation to visit Russia and the timing of the visit can be discussed, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said at Monday press conference in Moscow.

"The only thing I will say with regard to a new top-level contact [between Russia and North Korea] is that Mr. Kim Jong-Il has had an invitation to come to Russia for a visit for a long time," he said.

"The timing and other aspects of organizing it are to be coordinated by the sides," Lavrov added.