June 26, 2008
No. 149
The Honourable David Emerson, Minister of Foreign Affairs, today welcomed the presentation of a declaration of nuclear programs by the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) to China, the chair of the Six Party Talks, as called for in the agreement of October 3, 2007.
"The denuclearization of the DPRK is a matter of strategic interest to Canada," Minister Emerson stated, "and the DPRK's provision of a declaration of its nuclear programs is an important step toward this end."
The Six Party Talks began in August 2003 in an attempt to negotiate the denuclearization of the DPRK. To date, there have been six rounds of negotiations. The six parties are the People's Republic of China, the Republic of Korea, the DPRK, the United States of America, the Russian Federation and Japan.
The DPRK's presentation of a declaration will enable the Six Party Talks to move forward. Canada actively supports the Six Party Talks, and calls upon the DPRK to continue to take steps to meet its denuclearization commitments.
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Lynn Meahan
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Foreign Affairs Media Relations Office
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