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In an effort to boost economic ties and improve the political climate in the region, Primorye Governor Sergei Darkin has invited officials from the North Korean Province of Hamgyong-Pukto to participate in a summit of administration officials of Northeast Asian countries to be held in Vladivostok in 2008.

Darkin handed an official invitation to North Korean Consul General in Nakhodka Sim Guk Ryon on Monday, a press statement from Primorye administration reported.

“The participation of the North Korean delegation from Hamgyong-Pukto Province (North Hamgyong) will help us discuss prospective cooperation among business circles and if required prepare recommendations to the federal governments of the participating countries. It will also promote Russian participation in the issue of regulating relations between the two Koreas,” Darkin noted.

According to the statement, the participation of North Korean representatives in the summit will help stabilize the political situation in the region and activate economic relations, in particular possibly boosting cargo transportation.

The organization, which seeks international exchanges and cooperation of regional administrations in countries of Northeast Asia, unites officials of the Chinese Province of Jilin, the South Korean Province of Kangwon-do, the Japanese Prefecture of Tottori, the Mongolian Central Aimag (province) and Primorye region. During the international meetings the participants discuss border cooperation, economic and cultural ties, and tourism.

In 2007 the 12th meeting of the organization was held in the Japanese Prefecture of Tottori, and most of the discussed agenda focused on ecology and nature preservation efforts.