Russia sees APPF as suitable occasion for inter-Korean talks

MOSCOW, Jan. 17 (Xinhua) -- The Asia-Pacific Parliamentary Forum (APPF) could be a suitable platform for dialogue between the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) and South Korea, a senior Russian lawmaker said Thursday.

Russia intends to host the talks on the forum sidelines for the first time, said Ilyas Umakhanov, deputy chairman of the Russian parliament's upper house.

Umakhanov said that South Korea has responded to the idea with enthusiasm, while "our partners from the DPRK haven't been ready at the moment."

Russia, which chairs the upcoming APPF meeting, believes the dialogue between the DPRK and South Korea could be more productive if it is part of the parliamentary forum, Umakhanov said.

"The parliamentary floor gives more freedom and flexibility" to start working to involve the DPRK into the work of international structures, Umakhanov said.

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