DPRK Foreign Ministry Spokesman on Independence of Donetsk and Lugansk

 

Pyongyang, July 15 (KCNA) -- A spokesman for the DPRK Foreign Ministry Friday gave the following answer to a question put by KCNA as regards the fact that the DPRK recognized the independence of the People's Republic of Donetsk and the People's Republic of Lugansk:

As reported, on July 13 the DPRK decided to recognize the independence of the People's Republic of Donetsk and the People's Republic of Lugansk and expressed the will to develop the state-to-state relations with those countries in the idea of independence, peace and friendship.

To develop the state-to-state relations of friendship on the basis of respect for the principle of people's rights to equality and self- determination is the peculiar and legitimate right of a sovereign state specified in the purpose and principles of the UN Charter.

Ukraine, which had committed acts quite contrary to impartiality and justice in the state-to-state relations while aligning itself with the U.S. unreasonable and illegal hostile policy toward the DPRK in the past, has no right and qualification to take issue with the DPRK over its legitimate exercise of sovereignty.

The DPRK will as ever develop the bonds of friendship and cooperation with all other countries in the world that respect its sovereignty and are friendly to it, on the principles of sovereignty equality, non-interference and mutual respect.