Moscow: Concerned over North Korea's decision to withdraw from the Nuclear Non- Proliferation Treaty (NPT), Russia and Japan have urged Pyongyang to reverse its decision saying, "It is an extremely regrettable decision and must be abandoned immediately."

"Russia and Japan express regret and concern over the latest developments in the situation involving North Korea's nuclear programme and North Korea's intention to abrogate the NPT, and its rejection of the co-operation and guarantee agreement with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA)," a bilateral plan of action signed by President Vladimir Putin and visiting Japanese Premier Junichiro Koizumi said on January 10.

"Russia stands for the nuclear-free status of the Korean peninsula, for the preservation and strengthening of the regime on non-proliferation of nuclear weapons," Putin said at the joint news conference.

He noted that after detailed analysis of the North Korean statement, Russia has paid attention to the fact that the North Korean leadership "has left the door of talks open. We expect that during such talks, all questions and concerns of both parties can and will be solved," he said referring to Pyongyang and Washington.

Earlier, the Russian Foreign Ministry expressed "grave concern" over official reports of the intentions of North Korea to withdraw from NPT.

"The Russian side voices hope that Pyongyang will heed the unanimous opinion of the world community, its neighbours and partners, and choose to observe its international commitments in the sphere of non-proliferation," the statement said.

Speaking on 'ORT TV', Foreign Ministry spokesman Alexander Yakovenko said, "Reports that North Korea is withdrawing from the Nuclear non-proliferation Treaty creates serious concern for us."

"We are now studying the situation. The Foreign Ministry is in close contact with all interested sides," he said.

The North Korean issue weighed heavily over the summit, which also saw both Russia and Japan pledge to forge closer ties and seek an end to their border issue, which has blocked the signing of a post-war peace treaty between the two countries.

Koizumi called the talks "very fruitful and useful", adding that he had come to Moscow "with firm determination to breathe new life into Japanese-Russian relations, in accordance with changes that have taken place both inside Russia and on the international scene".

"There are several fields in which Japan and Russia can and must develop co- operation in the future. Both President Putin and I will try to put maximum effort into implementing these potential opportunities in our bilateral relations," he said.

PTI