Moscow views link-up of Korean and Siberian rail mains as promising project

Moscow believes the projected link-up of Russia's trans-Siberian rail main and the Korean main is a promising enterprise, Russian foreign ministry official spokesman Aleksandr Yakovenko has told a press conference at the Novosti news agency.

The link-up will make it possible to boost freight traffic from Asia to Europe, said Mr Yakovenko.

"We will offer every support for the project," assured the diplomat.

The project will foster stronger economic ties between the regions, something Russia takes great interest in, noted Mr Yakovenko.

Seoul reports say South and North Koreas have agreed to link their railways and connect them to the trans-Siberian main afterwards.

Monday's talks at the North Korean town of Kangson, near the demilitarised zone, fixed the date of linking the railways. The ceremony will take place on June 14. The railways will be linked in the eastern and western parts of the demilitarised zone. South Korea's transport net is for the first time gaining access to the Siberian main and further on to Europe via North Korean territory.