Statement by Foreign Minister Erkki Tuomioja on the announcement of the inter-Korean summit

Finland welcomes the announcement of an inter-Korean summit to be held in Pyongyang on 12-14 June, 2000. This is a very significant step in boosting cooperation between the two Koreas and reducing regional tension.

Finland has strived to lessen the tensions in the area eg. by financing KEDO, the organisation developing North Korea´s energy sector, and taking part in the Nordic-Korean cooperation on confidence building measures.

We believe that the summit will also result in a greater engagement of the Democratic People´s Republic of Korea in the international fora.