Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Yuri Fedotov reiterated in Moscow Friday that further six-party talks "are the best way to find a peaceful solution to the problem" of the nuclear issue on the Korean Peninsula.

He expressed the hope that the parties concerned, primarily the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) and the United States, would "make reciprocal steps to come to an agreement."

"It is very important to refrain from statements and moves that may complicate negotiations," Fedotov said.

China, the DPRK, the United States, Russia, South Korea and Japan held a meeting in Beijing in late August in a bid to seek a solution to the DPRK nuclear issue.

On Oct. 7, a DPRK Foreign Ministry spokesman said that his country wants Japan excluded for any future talks on the nuclear issue, accusing Japan of being an obstacle to the peaceful settlement of the nuclear standoff.

(Xinhua News Agency October 18, 2003)