Russia, U.S. consultations on North Korea in Washington

Russian-American consultations on the North Korean nuclear problem will be held in Washington. Deputy Foreign Minister Alexander Losyukov will represent Russia, and Assistant Secretary of State for East Asian and Pacific Affairs James Kelly will represent the United States. Preparations for the second round of the six-sided negotiations on North Korea will be the focus of the meeting.

"The coming meetings will be good preparation for the second round of the negotiations," Alexander Losyukov said in an interview with RIA Novosti.

Russia has concrete proposals on some aspects of the coming negotiations, Losyukov said. But, Moscow would not like these initiatives to prevent other sides, especially, the U.S. and North Korea, from advancing any ideas.

The second round of the six-sided negotiations may be held in Beijng at the end of December, according to unofficial data. Russia has not received an official notice about the date of the negotiations, however, said Losyukov, Moscow has no objections to meeting in December.

In August 2003, the U.S., North Korea, China, Japan, South Korea and Russia took park in the first round of the negotiations in Beijing.