Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Zhang Qiyue said Thursday in Beijing that six parties had in-depth and substantial discussions at their second plenary session of Korean nuclear talks.

 

Zhang said the discussions, which lasted from 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Thursday, mainly focused on the detailed measures for the realization of a nuclear-free Korean Peninsula, but she declined to give further details.

 

She said the Chinese side has been in consultation with all parties on the issues and the parties concerned were also discussing the possibility of reaching consensus.

 

But whether the consensus could be defined in written form still depends on the processing of the talks and all the parties' efforts, she said.

 

Zhang described the attitude of all sides at two days' meeting as "constructive, pragmatic and calm".

 

Zhang said the parties have all shown certain flexibility in resolving problems and keeping substantial discussions.

 

Since good preparation have been made prior to the talks, the parties all have clear understanding of the goals of the talks as well as the key problems and principles to be discussed at the talks, she said.

 

It is predictable that differences existed on certain issues, she said. As long as the six parties have common aspiration and show political wisdom, certain consensus will be achieved, she said.

(Xinhua, News Agency, February 26, 2004)