The six-party talks on the Korean Peninsula nuclear issue ended in Beijing Friday with all parties agreeing on a next round of negotiation, but without the crucial disarmament deadline.
Delegates set a date in early September for another round of six-party talks whilst the five working groups will meet at the end of August to discuss technical details over dismantling the Democratic People's Republic of Korea's nuclear programs.
Wu Dawei, head of the Chinese delegation to the six-party talks, representing the other five parties -- Japan, Russia, the United States, the DPRK and the Republic of Korea (ROK), released a chairman's statement concluding the two-and-half day session.
The parties reiterated their desire and determination to "earnestly fulfill their commitments" in the landmark Sept. 2005 Joint Statement and the Feb. 13 agreement brokered this year. The latter is seen as a key step in implementing the 2005 statement, read the press communique.
It says the DPRK once again stood firmly committed to "declaring all nuclear programs and disabling all existing nuclear facilities. In return, the DPRK will receive economic, energy and humanitarian assistance up to the equivalent of 950,000 tons of heavy fuel oil.
All parties promised to fulfill their respective obligations as listed in the Joint Statement and February agreement in line with the principles of "action for action", stated the communique.
(Xinhua News Agency July 20, 2007)
