North Korea and Russia announced a set of measures to facilitate trade and cooperation following an intergovernmental commission held near Vladivostok on Thursday, according to Interfax News Agency.

Russia’s Far East Development Minister Alexander Galushka said that the two countries had agreed to switch settlements in roubles and that Russian investors working on DPRK projects would benefit from exclusive terms.

“Settlements in rubles will begin starting from this month. Such an opportunity will emerge between Russia and the DPRK.  The first accounts have already been opened at Russian banks,” Interfax reported Galushka as saying.

The two countries also agreed to