Inv.:п/24793

The year 2000 was a meaningful year in which a historic summit between South and North Korea took place and drastic changes occurred in inter- Korean relations. History will remember it as the year of the opening of a new millennium of hope and as the year in which we started to end the division and con- frontation and move toward peace, reconciliation, cooperation and prosperity on the Korean Peninsula. In June 2000, the heads of South and North Korea met with each other for the first time in 55 years since the country was first divided and announced a June 15 South-North Joint Declaration. Based on the Joint Declaration, the two Koreas have discussed important pending issues and implemented inter-Korean agreements through dialogue and negotiations , thereby expanding practical cooperation between the two sides. The wave of reconciliation and cooperation between the two Koreas has acted as a force supporting the dismantlement of the Cold War structure on the Korean Peninsula. With close consultation and cooperation with the United States , Japan and South Korea , Pyongyang started to improve its relations with Washington and Tokyo. Members of the European Union have also actively participated in the process of improving relations with North Korea.