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N Korea nuclear talks to resume | N Korea nuclear talks to resume |
(10 minutes later) | |
Six-nation talks on North Korea's nuclear programme are to resume on 18 December, Chinese officials say. | Six-nation talks on North Korea's nuclear programme are to resume on 18 December, Chinese officials say. |
A date for the resumption of talks has been long awaited after they stalled a year ago when North Korea walked out in protest at US financial sanctions. | A date for the resumption of talks has been long awaited after they stalled a year ago when North Korea walked out in protest at US financial sanctions. |
Tensions have been heightened since North Korea carried out a nuclear test on 9 October. | Tensions have been heightened since North Korea carried out a nuclear test on 9 October. |
The talks, which also involve Russia, South Korea and Japan, will be held in Beijing, China's foreign ministry said. | |
"The second stage of the fifth round of the six-party talks will start from 18 December in Beijing after consultations among the parties," the foreign ministry said on its website. | |
The new date follows weeks of behind-the-scenes diplomacy led by China following Pyongyang's decision to return to the negotiating table after its October test. | |
The talks are expected to discuss ways of implementing a joint statement agreed in September 2005, in which North Korea agreed to give up its nuclear ambitions in return for security guarantees, aid and other benefits. | |
The agreement stalled in November, when North Korea walked out of the talks in protest at US sanctions targeting its alleged counterfeiting and money laundering operations. | |
Pyongyang drew international condemnation and UN sanctions after testing a nuclear weapon in October. This followed missiles tests in July. | |
South Korea welcomed the new date for talks, and said it expects "substantial progress" to be made on resolving the North's nuclear issue. |
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