Six-party nuclear talks recess, issuing chairman´s statement

Source: Xinhuanet | 12-22-2006 17:58

BEIJING, Dec. 22 (Xinhua) -- The six-party talks on the Korean Peninsula nuclear issue recessed on Friday afternoon after issuing a chairman's statement.

The recess came after five days of negotiations in Beijing by six delegations, namely, China, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea(DPRK), the United States, the Republic of Korea, Japan and Russia.

The chairman's statement said that six parties agreed to implement the joint statement of September 19, 2005 as soon as possible "in a phased manner."

Under the joint statement, the DPRK agreed to abandon its nuclear program in exchange for economic aid and security guarantees.

The chairman's statement was announced by chief Chinese negotiator Wu Dawei, with other five top envoys standing beside him.

Formally known as the second phase of the fifth round since 2003, the talks resumed on Monday after a 13-month suspension.

Editor:Du Xiaodan