Special report: DPRK conducts nuclear test    

    SINGAPORE, Oct. 10 (Xinhua) -- A high ranking European Union (EU) official on Tuesday urged the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) to return to the six-party talks to seek a peaceful solution to the nuclear crisis on the Korean Peninsula.

    Benita Ferrero-Waldner, European Commissioner for External Relations and European Neighborhood Policy addressed members of the Foreign Correspondents' Association of Singapore (FCA), saying that the EU had made a very strong response to the DPRK's nuclear test on Monday, condemning it as a provocative act.

    Describing the move as unacceptable and wrong, she called on the DPRK to get back to the six-party talks without any conditions.

    The EU was a staunch defender of the international non-proliferation regime, the commissioner said, adding that the bloc would continue to work with the international community, including supporting the six-party talks, to promote a comprehensive solution to the nuclear issue on the Korean Peninsula.

    She also praised China for its continued efforts to get the six-party talks back on track, and said the EU would be ready to participate in such discussions if invited. Enditem