Brussels, 10/02/2003 (Agence Europe) - The high level mission that the EU hoped to send to North Korea (see EUROPE of 28 January, p.5, and 31 January, p.5) has been cancelled, a Greek Presidency source said, specifying that the decision had been taken during the weekend. The mission, which was to be headed by the President-in-Office of the External Relations Council, George Papandreou, and the High EU Representative for CFSP, Javier Solana, on 11 and 12 February, was subject to the condition that both men would be able to meet the North Korean President, Kim Jon-il. "We have not received a very precise response from North Korea on this subject", a Greek Presidency source said, without, however, confirming that the cancellation of the mission was due to the uncertainty prevailing over a meeting with the North Korean President.
On the other hand, Javier Solana is to meet South Korean President Kim Dae-jung on Tuesday in Seoul, as well as his elected successor, Roh Moo-hyun (who takes over officially on 25 February) in order to discuss the nuclear crisis that has opposed Pyongyang and the international community since the autumn. (Mr Solana visited Japan on Sunday and Monday).