President Putin sends message to North Korean leader

President Vladimir Putin has forwarded a message to North Korean leader Kim Jong-il, the president's press service reported on Monday.

The message addresses issues of bilateral cooperation and regional security, according to the press service.

The message was handed over by Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov who is visiting North Korea.

Mr Lavrov and his North Korean counterpart, Paek Nam-sun, met in Pyongyang yesterday and signed a plan for visit exchanges between the two countries' foreign ministries.

Mr Lavrov also laid flowers to the statue to Kim Ir Sen and the Liberation monument that was built to commemorate Soviet soldiers.

Mr Lavrov also met Kim Yong-nam, Chairman of the Presidium of the Supreme People's Assembly, yesterday.