WASHINGTON, July 16 (Xinhuanet) -- US Secretary of State Colin Powell reiterated Wednesday that the United States is still hopeful of a diplomatic solution to the nuclear issue of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK).

　　"We did discuss North Korea (DPRK), specifically the nuclear situation," Powell told reporters after meeting with his German counterpart Joschka Fischer.

　　"I told the (German) foreign minister that the United States was still hopeful of a diplomatic solution; that we are in touch with our friends in the region," he said.

　　The secretary said the United States has taken note of a recentvisit by Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Dai Bingguo to Pyongyang.

　　"The diplomatic track is alive and well, and I expect to see some developments along that track in the very near future," Powell said.

　　Powell said he and Fischer also discussed bilateral relations, transatlantic ties and regional issues such as Afghanistan and Iraq. Enditem