North Korea praises Russia's Putin on joint declaration anniversary

July 19 (UPI) -- North Korea commemorated a joint Russia-North Korea declaration signed by Russian President Vladimir Putin and former leader Kim Jong Il on Wednesday.

Pyongyang's tribute to its ties with Moscow comes a day after the Russian embassy in Pyongyang announced the delivery of food aid, 2,400 tons of flour, to the country, and more than a week after Russia blocked a statement urging North Korea sanctions at the United Nations Security Council.

Korean Workers' Party newspaper Rodong Sinmun described the declaration signed in July 2000 as a "milestone in the development of North Korea-Russia friendship."

"It has been 17 years since the joint declaration was adopted," the statement read. "This joint declaration is a historical document that actively promoted the development of friendly Russia-North Korea relations."

Pyongyang added the maintenance of strong ties with Russia is "beneficial to peace and security in the Northeast Asia region."

According to the Rodong, Putin and Kim agreed in 2000 to strengthen military cooperation and promote exchange that advances friendly relations.

The newspaper claimed Russia values its relationship with North Korea.

"Recently the United States and South Korea are jabbering about nuclear and rocket threats, but President Putin has stressed North Korea is defending itself from outside pressure, and called on the United States to withdraw threats against North Korea."

Putin had called for calm during the G20 Summit in Hamburg, following Pyongyang's test launch of the Hwasong-14, which the country has claimed to be an intercontinental ballistic missile.

The Russian leader may have also called North Korea's attention at a recent international economic forum in St. Petersburg, when he said small nations believe they have no choice but to develop nuclear weapons to defend their independence and sovereignty.

Russia is one of the top destinations for North Korea forced laborers, who are sent to work in labor-intensive industries in the country to earn foreign currency for the Kim Jong Un regime.