Special report: 4th round of six-party talks  

Wu Dawei, chairman of the current talks and Chinese chief negotiator(L), declares the adoption of the joint statement at the meeting in Beijing Sept 19, 2005. (Xinhua Photo)

BEIJING, Sept. 19 (Xinhuanet) -- The fourth round of six-party talks on the Korean Peninsula nuclear issue concluded here Monday afternoon with the adoption of much-expected joint statement.

    In the current round of talks, which comprises two stages, all parties reached a six-point consensus on the nuclear-free in the Korean Peninsula.

    At the closing ceremony held here Monday, chief negotiators from host China, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK),Japan, the Republic of Korea (ROK), Russia and the United States, on behalf of their respective governments, unanimously adopted a common statement.

    Wu Dawei, chairman of the current talks and Chinese chief negotiator, declared the adoption of the joint statement at the meeting.

    Wu said that with efforts made by all parties concerned, the fourth round of six-party talks was rounded off satisfactorily.

    "We have reached a consensus on the general goal of the fourth round of six-party talks and have agreed to announce a joint statement, which is the most significant achievement for the past two years or more," he said.

    The joint statement reflects the strong political will of the six governments involved to peacefully resolve the nuclear issue on the Korean Peninsula, make the peninsula nuclear-free and safeguard its peace and stability, Wu said.

    Wu, who is Chinese vice foreign minister, said that the mechanism of the six-party talks is a "practical and effective" means to the peaceful solution to the nuclear issue on the Korean Peninsula and accords with the fundamental interests of all parties.

    He said the adoption of the joint statement is the beginning of a new stage as well as the end of a certain stage.

    "We still have a long way to go. we'll run into many difficulties and setbacks, but we'll never give up," he said.

    China will, with joint efforts from all parties concerned, adhere to the orientation of peaceful solution through dialogue and to the goal of nuclear-free in the peninsula. "We will safeguard the long-lasting peace and stability of the Korean Peninsula and Northeast Asia in order to promote common development," Wu said.

    Wu noted that the joint statement reflects the "wisdom and endeavor" of all parties concerned and "a major step forward" toward the goal of nuclear-free in the peninsula. Enditem