CTVNEWS

N. Korea: Medvedev calls on Koreas to co-operate

The Associated Press Published Monday, August 15, 2011 6:33AM EDT

Russian President Dmitry Medvedev speaks during an interview with British newspaper the Financial Times, during the International Economic Forum in St. Petersburg, Russia, Saturday, June 18, 2011. (AP / RIA-Novosti, Dmitry Astakhov, Presidential Press Service)

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SEOUL, South Korea - North Korea says Russian President Dmitry Medvedev is calling for greater energy co-operation among Russia and the two Koreas.

Pyongyang's official Korean Central News Agency said Monday that Medvedev sent a message congratulating North Korean leader Kim Jong Il on the anniversary of Korea's liberation from Japanese colonial rule.

Korea was divided into two after its 1945 independence. KCNA says Medvedev wants his country and North and South Korea to boost co-operation in energy and railway construction.

Russia's foreign minister said last week that Moscow was in talks with Pyongyang and Seoul separately on putting gas pipes through the Korean peninsula.

KCNA quotes Medvedev as saying co-operation would help regional security.