The six parties to Korean nuclear issue talks reiterated on Sunday the goal of the six-party talks is the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula through peaceful means and agreed to produce a common document to this end, according to the chairman's statement issued in Beijing on Sunday.

 

The statement, read by Chinese chief negotiator Wu Dawei after the morning's meeting of delegation heads, says the first phase of the fourth round of the six-party talks were held in Beijing from July 26 to August 7.

 

The six parties, in a spirit of mutual respect and equal consultation, conducted serious, pragmatic and in-depth discussions and consultations in a good atmosphere. All the parties have enhanced mutual understanding, expanded consensus and made positive progress during the talks, the statement says.

 

The six parties reaffirmed the goal of the six-party talks is the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula through peaceful means and agreed to produce a common document to this end.

 

The negotiators had in-depth and useful discussions on the contents of the common document and reached a consensus on many aspects.

 

They decided to take a recess so that the parties concerned can go back to report to their respective governments about the development of the talks and further study their positions for settling the differences that still exist.

 

During the recess, it says, the parties will keep mutual communication and consultation.

 

The next phase of the six-party talks is to resume in the week beginning Aug. 29 this year, and the specific date will be discussed later, it says.

 

The six parties reiterated they will continue to push forward the process of the six-party talks.   

 

(Xinhua News Agency August 7, 2005)