Will pyongyang prolong moratorium on missile tests?

Pyongyang's intention to prolong moratorium on missile tests has not come as a surprise for Russia, deputy Russian Foreign Minister Alexander Losyukov has declared.

Contacts between Russia and North Korea over the past year have allowed the former "to receive a clear indication of North Korea's position on this issue", said the senior diplomat. Losyukov noted that Russia "knew this was Pyongyang's intention".

In meetings and other forms of contact with representatives of foreign countries, Russia "did not conceal the fact that this issue did not worry us and that this decision [to prolong the moratorium] might be made", said the deputy head of the Russian foreign ministry.

"Our reaction to this statement by North Korea is a very positive one, as indeed have been those of the representatives of other concerned states, and we believe that this decision will be taken by North Korea and the moratorium will remain in force", noted Losyukov.