SECRETARY-GENERAL WELCOMES PROGRESS IN SIX-PARTY TALKS TOWARDS VERIFIABLE

DENUCLEARIZATION OF KOREAN PENINSULA IN PEACEFUL MANNER

The following statement was issued today by UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon:

I welcome continued progress in the six-party talks towards the verifiable denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula in a peaceful manner.

Today’s submission by the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea of the declaration of its nuclear programmes to China as Chair of the talks, followed by the reciprocal actions of the United States, are important steps forward.  I call on all six participants to take this opportunity to expedite movement towards the full implementation of the 2005 Joint Statement.  I strongly support their efforts towards this end.

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For information media • not an official record