The working group on the denuclearization of the Korean
Peninsula will hold its first meeting on March 17 in Beijing, said
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Qin Gang on Tuesday.
The meeting will precede the sixth round of six-party talks that
will begin on March 19, Qin said.
Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Wu Dawei will head the working
group, said Qin at a regular press conference.
During the last round of talks, the six parties adopted a joint
statement, and later reached consensus on the initial steps to
implement the joint statement.
The steps included establishing five working groups, which will
discuss the denuclearization on the Korean Peninsula, North Korea
relations with the US and Japan, the economic and energy resources
cooperation, and peace and security of Northeast Asia.
Qin said, he hoped all the working groups will report to the
meeting of chief envoys on March 19.
Some issues may be submitted for discussion during the meeting
of chief envoys from the six participating countries, namely China,
the US, Russia, Japan, North and South Korea, Qin added.
The time frame for the new round of six-party talks will depend
on the progress being made, Qin said, adding that no detailed
arrangements have been made for the upcoming talks.
Qin said Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Wu Dawei met UN's chief
nuclear inspector to Pyongyang, Mohamed El Baradei, on March 12 and
briefed him on recent developments.
Qin said Baradei's visit to Pyongyang is an important step for
North Korea and the IAEA and he hopes Baradei's visit will achieve
positive results.
(Xinhua News Agency March 14, 2007)
