Italy–North Korea relations

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Italy-North Korea relations
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Italy and North Korea have no formal diplomatic ties, although they maintain quiet trade, tourism and security contacts.

History

For a long time, North Korea was considered isolationist [1] and "politically reclusive". [2]

That changed in January 2000, when Italy announced its opening of official diplomatic relations with North Korea by Lamberto Dini, Italy's foreign minister, who also brokered reconciliation pacts at that time with Iran and Libya of Muammar Gaddafi. [3]

North Korea's representative for the UN's Food and Agriculture Organization met with Lamberto Dini to formally establish diplomatic ties. Formal ties with a member of the G7 was considered a huge step for North Korea at the time. [4]

In 2017 Italy expelled N.K.'s ambassador, in response to N.K.'s continued pursuit of its nuclear weapons program. [5]

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References

  1. "North Korea wages diplomatic campaign with a wary world". Associated Press Archive. 2000-01-19. Archived from the original on 2016-03-04. Retrieved 2012-03-21.
  2. French, Howard W. (17 March 2000). "North Korea suddenly makes diplomatic waves". San Diego Union-Tribune. Retrieved 2012-03-21.[ dead link ]
  3. STANLEY, ALESSANDRA (5 January 2000). "Italy Opens North Korea Ties, First by a Big Western Nation". New York Times.
  4. "Asia Times: Italy brings North Korea out of isolation". Atimes.com. Archived from the original on 2000-09-25. Retrieved 2012-03-21.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  5. Fifield, Anna (October 1, 2017). "Italy becomes fifth country to expel North Korean ambassador". Washington Post . Retrieved November 22, 2017.