Canada establishes diplomatic relations with N. Korea

Asian Political News, Feb 12, 2001

NEW YORK, Feb. 6 Kyodo

(EDS: NORTH KOREAN OFFICIAL MEDIA ALSO MADE SIMILAR ANNOUNCEMENT, MORE DETAILS)

The Canadian government announced Tuesday that it has established diplomatic relations with North Korea.

''Canada believes that closer relations with Pyongyang is the best way to contribute to security, non-proliferation and humanitarian challenges in the region,'' Canadian Foreign Minister John Manley said in a statement released in Ottawa.

North Korea's official Korea Central News Agency (KCNA) also reported Tuesday night that North Korea has established diplomatic ties with Canada on the basis of ''mutual respect for national sovereignty and non-interference in internal affairs.''

Manley and North Korean Foreign Minister Pak Nam Sun exchanged letters on Feb. 1 on the establishment of diplomatic ties, KCNA said.

Neither the Canadian Foreign Affairs Department nor the North Korean official media mentioned the appointment of ambassadors.

The Canadian government recognized North Korea in July last year and the two countries have been discussing technical details on the establishment of diplomatic relations since last September.

Manley said the Canadian government hopes establishing diplomatic relations would ''further enhance communications and cooperation and develop a deeper understanding of each other.''

According to the Canadian Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade, the Canadian government has donated approximately $30 million in humanitarian aid to North Korea through the United Nations and Canadian non-governmental organizations.

Canada is the third Group of Seven country with diplomatic relations with North Korea. Italy set up diplomatic ties with North Korea in January last year and Britain followed suit last December.