EU to send Swedish PM to North Korea

STOCKHOLM, Sweden -- European Union leaders will confirm on Saturday whether Sweden's prime minister will go to North Korea to boost peace dialogue in the divided Korean peninsula, according to a draft communique.

Swedish Premier Goran Persson, whose country holds the EU's rotating six-month presidency, would visit both North and South Korea, the draft also said.

"The European Council stands ready to contribute to reducing tension between the two Koreas and has agreed to enhance the role of the Union in support of peace, security and freedom on the Korean peninsula," the draft communique said.

"In the People's Republic of Korea (the North), substantive talks would be held with Chairman Kim Jong Il on the full range of issues of concern to them and to the Union."

The draft communique gave no date for the trip.

Sweden, whose neutral status has enabled it to build relatively good ties with North Korea, holds the EU presidency until June 30.

The North Koreans have indicated they are especially keen for the 15-nation EU to play a more active role in Korean relations especially with the new, more skeptical U.S. administration in Washington.

Pyongyang recently opened diplomatic relations with a number of EU countries, including Britain and Germany.

The EU leaders, holding a two-day European Council meeting in Stockholm, will also address the issues of Middle East, the Balkans and Russia economic reforms.

Reuters contributed to this report.

European Union
KCNA - North Korea news agency

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