The Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that there are signs the six-nation talks on the subject of the North Korean nuclear program may be revived in the near future. The talks involve the countries of North Korea, South Korea, the U.S., Russia, China, and Japan.

In a news service interview, Mr. Alexander Lukashevich of the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs said “Russia accepts that the earliest possible ‘relaunch’ of the six-party talks, the most recent round of which happened late in 2008, would be in the interest of all parties concerned.” The official also noted that it is indispensable not only to resume the six-party talks, but also to make certain they bring sustained, practical progress to the primary goal of achieving the de-nuclearization of the Korean peninsula.

Mr. Lukashevich also added that Russia assesses the resumption of the dialogue between South Korea and North Korea and between North Korea and the U.S. as constructive. “These contacts sustain the positive dynamics that are the results of Russian-North Korean consultations in March of this year, after which Pyongyang announced its readiness to revisit the negotiating table without any initial conditions. This is steadily building the foundation for ending the present intermission in the negotiating process. Most commonly, we think that today all the parties must show an utmost understanding of accountability and foresight, avoid any action that would incite a new clash, and carry on attempts to put the situation on the right path.”