EU Interested in Joining Six-Way Talks
2003-09-17
The European Union is interested in joining the six-way talks on resolving the North Korean nuclear crisis, Deputy Foreign Minister Lee Soo-hyuck said on Tuesday (Sept. 16).
“E.U. (European Union) countries are interested in joining the six-way talks,” the official said after a meeting with 19 European envoys including four from non-E.U. countries.
“They want to take part in the talks in the long term, just not right now,” Lee added.
He said it was natural for the E.U. nations to show an interest, as the nuclear crisis is a major issue internationally, and considering E.U.'s contribution to the Korean Peninsula Energy Development Organization.
“We may need further financial contribution from the E.U., so participation is only natural,” Lee said.
Lee will explain the European nations' positions to the United States and Japan at an informal, three-way consultation to be held Sept. 29-30 in Tokyo.
Officials at the trilateral talks will coordinate their North Korea policy and discuss plans for the next six-way talks, he said.
Lee, chief South Korean negotiator for the nuke talks which ended in Beijing last month, will meet with his U.S. counterpart, James Kelly, assistant state secretary, and Mitoji Yabunaka, director-general of the Japanese Foreign Ministry.
Source : www.korea.net
