Фото: ЦТАК
The Council of Ministers has submitted a bill to the National Assembly to ratify the Treaty of Friendship and Cooperation between the Republic of Belarus and the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea. The treaty was signed in March this year.
The bill includes the text of the treaty itself. Under the agreement, Belarus and North Korea undertake to develop relations “on the basis of the principles of mutual respect for state sovereignty, territorial integrity, non-interference in internal affairs, equality and mutual benefit, as well as other fundamental principles of international law.”
The treaty also states that the parties will not participate in alliances or blocs “directed against the key interests of the other party, including its sovereignty, security, territorial integrity and right to development, and will not take any action, including concluding treaties of this kind with third countries.” Belarus and North Korea also undertake not to allow their territories to be used for armed aggression against the other contracting party.
Belarus and North Korea undertake to support measures and policies aimed at protecting sovereignty, security, territorial integrity and the right to development. The parties also pledge to actively promote “resistance to all forms of hegemony and coercive policies, including unlawful coercive measures, and the establishment of a just and equal world order.”
The treaty provides for cooperation in various fields, to be implemented through sector-specific agreements and the establishment of a Joint Commission.
“The parties shall facilitate travel by their citizens to the territory of the other party’s state, protect the legitimate rights and interests of legal entities and citizens of the other party present on their territory in accordance with international law, and assist in the exercise of those rights and interests,” the treaty states.
The treaty is concluded for a term of 10 years and will be automatically extended for five-year periods unless either party gives notice of termination 12 months in advance.