All parties to the Beijing six-way talks, which ended Friday morning at Diaoyutai State Guesthouse in Beijing, pledged to keep talking, in a bid to expand common grounds between them.

The six parties said that they will earnestly review the proposals and propositions raised by various parties during the meeting, sources close to the Chinese Foreign Ministry said.

The six delegations said that the Beijing talks have provided an important opportunity for solving the Korean nuclear issue and laying a base for further talks, the sources said.

All the parties also expressed their gratitude to the Chinese hosts for their important efforts and considerate accommodations facilitating the talks, the sources said.

Chinese Vice-Foreign Minister Wang Yi presided over the talks' closing ceremony, which was attended by various delegations' heads and other representatives.

Summarizing the common grounds shared by various parties and progress made during the talks, Wang, chief negotiator of the Chinese team, said that the six parties, with sincerity and hope, were here in Beijing discussing peace on the Korean Peninsula.

"The talks have brought about progress while some disagreement still remains," Wang said.
However, he said, "all the parties have agreed that the Beijing talks are helpful."

"Although future talks are not ensured to be always smooth," he said, "the six parties might find ways peacefully solving the Korean nuclear issue which lead to a lasting peace on the peninsula so long as we make concerted efforts."

New Talks Likely Within Two Months: ROK Delegation

The six parties talks were "fruitful" and delegates have agreed to hold a new round of talks, Head of the Republic of Korea (ROK) Delegation Lee Soo-hyuck said in Beijing Friday.

Lee, ROK deputy minister of foreign affairs and trade, said at a press conference that the exact time and venue of the new round of talks will be decided after consultations, probably within two months.

China, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK), the United States, the ROK, Russia and Japan concluded the three-day talks in Beijing Friday noon.

Lee said all sides agreed that the nuclear issue should be resolved through dialogue and peaceful means, that the de-nuclearization of the Korean Peninsula be realized, and that the security concerns of the DPRK be taken into consideration.

The six sides agreed that those issues should be resolved through a package plan.

All sides stressed that there should be no action leading to deterioration of the situation.

Lee praised China for its role in the three-day talks, saying it has made good communications among the parties.

(Xinhua News Agency August 29, 2003)