Talks on North Korea's nuclear problem to continue

Three days have proved to be not enough for working out a joint final document on the results of the six-partite talks on North Korea's nuclear problem. Such was a conclusion made by the chairman, China's Deputy Foreign Minister Wang Yi, at a Beijing press-conference Friday that followed the talks with the participation of South and North Koreas, China, the USA, Russia and Japan.

Wang Yi called the talks "historic and useful" and confirmed that their participants agreed to continue the dialogue. The next round will be dated via diplomatic channels.

The most important thing, repeated the head of the Chinese delegation, is that all the participants in the Beijing meeting are at one in the necessity of continued negotiations.

He claims the session has made an important step forward toward the peaceful settlement of nuclear problems on the Korea peninsula. Wang Yi who had presided over the talks for three days also referred to them as being rather difficult.

In his opinion, there is a constructive change in the positions of the United States and North Korea. In particular, the United States declared lack of any intention to attack or intimidate the Korean People's Republic as well as to topple its present regime. The USA also reiterated its interest in a peaceful settlement of the North Korean nuclear problem, said the deputy minister.

North Korea also declared in favour of ridding the Korean peninsula of nuclear weapons and promised to give up the development of its nuclear programme, if the USA abandons its hostile policy toward Pyongyang. Besides, the conferees came to terms on making no statements or moves than can escalate the crisis and aggravate the situation, said the Chinese diplomat.

The sides agreed to take into account North Korea's concern over its own security.

The head of the Chinese delegation mentioned constructive proposals made by Russia, Japan and South Korea.