Belarus, North Korea discuss embassy opening, visa-free travel

Belarus and North Korea on Thursday discussed the opening of a Belarusian embassy in Pyongyang and steps toward visa-free travel between the two countries.

The Belarusian Foreign Ministry said in a statement that more steps to boost bilateral ties were discussed by Belarusian Foreign Minister Maxim Ryzhenkov and North Korean Deputy Foreign Minister Kim Son Gyong, meeting on the sidelines of the 81st UN General Assembly in New York.

The sides noted that relations between the two countries reached a "qualitatively new level" over the past year, the ministry said.

"They stressed that friendly and trusting relations between the leaders of the two countries form their solid foundation," it said.

The officials reviewed the implementation of agreements reached during Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko's official visit to North Korea this March, which resulted in concrete projects, it added.

Particular attention was paid to plans to open a Belarusian embassy in North Korea's capital Pyongyang and to further work of the countries' joint commission on trade and economic cooperation, it said.

The sides also agreed to step up efforts to finalize an agreement on visa-free travel for citizens of the two countries and to continue mutual support at international platforms, it noted.