Media Release

FA40a - 17 April 2003

Australia Welcomes Three-Party talks on North Korea

I welcome the news that the United States, North Korea and China have agreed to meet for talks in Beijing next week.

These talks come as a result of intensive efforts by key regional players, including Australia. The North Korea nuclear issue impacts on the interests of the entire region, and as such, needs to be resolved among the principal regional players.

The talks should be an important step towards resolving the nuclear issue on the Korean peninsula. Regional and international attention has focused on advancing a satisfactory resolution. We now hope that a multilateral forum will evolve from these initial three-party talks.

From the outset Australia has strongly advocated multilateral talks. Through both bilateral and multilateral channels we have worked actively towards a diplomatic solution.

Media inquiries: Chris Kenny (Ministerial) +61 02 6277 7500 / Julie McDonald (Departmental) 02 6261 1555

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