Pyongyang: North Korean leader Kim Jong-un has called for an expanded and diversified promotion of cooperative relations with Russia during a meeting with Russia's visiting natural resources minister, state media reported Tuesday. This meeting signifies a continued effort to strengthen ties between the two nations. According to Yonhap News Agency, Kim met with Russian Minister of Natural Resources and Ecology Alexander Kozlov, who led a government delegation for the 11th intergovernmental committee meeting on cooperation in trade, economy, science, and technology. The Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) reported that Kim praised the deepened bilateral solidarity and cooperation achieved across various fields since the signing of a new treaty between the countries. During the meeting, Kim emphasized the importance of mutual efforts to drive co-prosperity and development by promoting intergovernmental trade, economic, scientific, and technological exchanges in a more extensive and diversified manner. He remarke d that the friendly and cooperative relations between North Korea and Russia have reached a new strategic level. Since Kozlov's delegation arrived in Pyongyang on Sunday, working-level discussions have been ongoing concerning intergovernmental cooperation in trade, economy, science, and technology. The visit and discussions underscore the growing partnership between the two countries following the new partnership treaty signed by Kim and Russian President Vladimir Putin in June, which includes a mutual defense clause. The meeting, marked by a handshake between Kim and Kozlov, reflects the commitment of both nations to bolster their military and other forms of cooperation. The image of their meeting, published by the KCNA, further highlights the significance of this diplomatic engagement.