SECRETARY-GENERAL WELCOMES RESUMPTION OF INTER-KOREAN DIALOGUE

SECRETARY-GENERAL WELCOMES RESUMPTION OF INTER-KOREAN DIALOGUE

The following statement was issued today by the Spokesman for Secretary-General Kofi Annan:

The Secretary-General welcomes the resumption of the inter-Korean dialogue.  He is particularly glad that the ministerial talks between the Democratic People's Republic of Korea and the Republic of Korea, held in Seoul on 15 to 18 September, agreed to continue the exchange visits between separated families, as well as to undertake practical steps in the economic and other fields.

Encouraged by the renewed commitment of both parties to the Joint Declaration that was signed by their two leaders on 15 June of last year, the Secretary-General urges the parties to persevere with its full implementation, including the dialogue at the highest level.

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