Six Party Talks Resuming in Beijing after 13 Month Standoff

2006-12-18 21:46:16 CRIENGLISH.com

Chief negotiators of the six-party talks have gathered Monday in Beijing 13 months after they stalled, initiating a new round of negotiation on the denuclearization of the Korean peninsula. China says the meeting is a good start and of great significance.

CRI reporter Na Lan has more.

The six delegation heads gathered at the Diaoyutai State Guesthouse in Beijing and made keynote speeches at a plenary session, stressing to resolve the nuclear standoff in line with the principle of "action-to-action" and the attitude of facing up to the future.

They elaborated their respective stances on implementing the joint statement adopted by all parties in September last year. Relevant proposals and ideas were also put forward in their speeches.

The chief negotiators expressed appreciation for China's efforts in resuming the talks. They also vowed to strive for "positive progress" out of the fresh round of talks with a "flexible" and "pragmatic" attitude.

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Jiang Yu said the decision to resume the talks itself was a good effort by each party.
"All the negotiators agreed at today's meeting to resolve the issue through conversation. Each party was willing to stick to the denuclearization of the Korean peninsula and also the joint statement made in September last year. I think this shows a positive political will."

Meanwhile earlier in the day, Chun Yung-woo, head of the South Korea's delegation and its assistant minister of foreign affairs and trade, said he was waiting to see how each party addresses the issues.

"When hearing each party's keynote speech, especially that of North Korea, we can see the wind direction of the six-party talks. Please keep watching today's opening."

Launched in 2003, the six-party talks have been held for five rounds. However, the talks had remained stalled since November last year when North Korea refused to return to the negotiation in protest against US sanctions.

Over the past 13 months, the parties concerned have been engaged in a flurry of diplomatic activities in order to resume the talks.

Na Lan, CRI News.

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