Copenhagen, 24/09/2002 (Agence Europe) - On the fringe of the EU/Asem Summit on Tuesday, European Commission President Romano Prodi met Japanese Prime Minister Koizumi, who in particular briefed him on his recent talks with President Kim Jong-Il (see EUROPE of 21 September, p.6). The North Korean President, confirmed Mr. Koizumi, assured him that he would respect international agreements on weapons of mass destruction and the moratorium on missile testing, and that he would authorise inspections by IAEA experts. As for Prodi, he praised the political courage of Mr. Koizumi and recalled that the EU would contribute actively to efforts aimed at improving the living conditions of the North Korean people and integrate North Korea in the international community. Mr. Prodi recalled that the EU had so far supplied North Korea with humanitarian and food aid of 274 million euro and that two pilot projects for a total of 2 million had been launched in the energy and training into the market economy sectors.