In new push, N. Korea seeks ties with 9 European nations

NICOSIA — North Korea has embarked on yet another diplomatic initiative to end its Cold War isolationism.

Pyongyang has proposed rapprochement with several European countries, including France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Belgium, Britain, Luxembourg, the Netherlands and Spain.

In letters sent to the foreign ministers of those countries, North Korean Foreign Minister Paek Nam-sun offered to establish diplomatic relations.

Paek also sent a letter to the external relations commissioner of the European Commission.

"The establishment and development of the relations between the Democratic People's Republic of [North] Korea and those countries will give an affirmative effect on finally liquidating the leftover of the Cold War and ensuring peace and security in Northeast Asia and the rest of the world," the letter said. North Korea "always pursues the policy of opening and developing friendly and cooperative relations with any country that respects independence and does not interfere in its internal affairs."

This year, North Korea has already established diplomatic relations with Australia, the Philippines, Italy and Canada.

On Tuesday, a delegation of New Zealand officials arrived in North Korea to discuss the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries.

In Seoul, U.S. Defense Secretary William Cohen expressed optimism that the outcome of the meeting between North and South Korea scheduled for Monday to Tuesday in South Korea's resort island of Cheju could significantly reduce the threat of war in the region.

"They will hopefully discuss ways in which there can be a consideration of so-called confidence-building measures," Cohen said Thursday. But South Korean Defense Minister Cho Sung-tae was not as optimistic.

"I have some reservations and doubts about how far we can move on confidence-building measures at our first meeting," Cho said. "Despite the changes, there has been little real progress in dismantling military tensions between the two Koreas, as North Korea's military threat remains the same."