Last updated at: (Beijing Time) Friday, June 27, 2003
Russia Ready to Attend Broader Format Talks on DPRK's Nuclear Issue
Russia on Thursday reiterated its readiness to take part in a broader format of talks on the nuclear issue of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK).
Russia on Thursday reiterated its readiness to take part in a broader format of talks on the nuclear issue of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK).
"Quite a few people now demand that multilateral talks on the North Korean issue should continue. If the format of the talks is expanded, Russia's participation in them would be logical and welcomed by the other parties to the talks," Russian Foreign Ministry spokesman Alexander Yakovenko told a press conference.
"Russia sees its role in the talks as active, but will decide on its involvement depending on the situation," he said.
"Russia has historically been involved in the affairs of the neighboring Korean Peninsula, and as a depositary of the Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty, has a significant role to play in maintaining the nonproliferation regime," he said.
The nuclear crisis on the Korean Peninsula erupted last October when the United States alleged that the DPRK had a secret nuclear weapons program. Pyongyang announced it would reactivate the frozen nuclear facilities for electricity production after the United States suspended its heavy oil shipment to DPRK, which also pulled out from the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty on Jan. 10.
Russia is opposed to introducing international sanctions or military forces in settling the DPRK nuclear issue. Since the outbreak of the DPRK-US standoff over the nuclear issue, Moscow has repeatedly expressed willingness to promote a peaceful settlement of the crisis.