Russia understands US concern about new issues on agenda of talks on North Korea

Russia understands US concern about Pyongyang's introduction of new issues on the agenda of the second round of the talks on North Korea, official spokesman for the Russian Foreign Ministry Alexander Yakovenko told journalists.

"We come out for continuity and top priority of six-sided talks on the North Korean nuclear problem," the diplomat said. "In our opinion, the introduction of separate issues on the agenda concerning bilateral relations between negotiators can hamper the achievement of the main goal regardless of their importance. This goal is to provide nuclear-free status of the Korean Peninsula and to guarantee security in this region," Yakovenko said.

In Moscow's opinion, the solution of these key problems "would create favourable atmosphere to settle bilateral issues".

"In this connection we understand the concern of American partners," said the official spokesman for the Russian Foreign Ministry.

US Undersecretary of State John Bolton earlier claimed the inadmissibility of attempts to delay the talks on the North Korean nuclear problem by means of introduction of bilateral issues on the agenda.

According to the data of the US administration, the problem is the project of the joint statement drafted by its partners in the dialogue on North Korea. The statement consists of four points and includes, in particular, Tokyo's demand to solve the problem of Japanese citizens kidnapped by North Korean special services in addition to the obligations to stop the North Korean nuclear programme and guarantees of Pyongyang's security.