I expressly welcome the successful conclusion of the Six-Party Talks held in Beijing on North Korea's nuclear programme.
Substantial agreements were reached during the last round of the Six-Party Talks.
Although we must be cautious for the time being, the implementation of the agreement reached in Beijing would provide an opportunity to take an important step towards more stability in East Asia and, in particular, on the entire Korean peninsula.
It is therefore of the utmost significance that the agreement reached in Beijing is now implemented unconditionally and in full.
We expect the Government in Pjongyang to comply with the agreement now reached.
We hope that this agreement will be North Korea's first step on the way back towards honouring its obligations under the Non-Proliferation Treaty.
The German Government will – both at national level and as the EU Presidency – continue to vigorously support all efforts to peacefully resolve the tense situation.
I hope that today's agreement marks the start of a process which will result in the resolution of one of the most difficult nuclear conflicts on which international diplomacy has focused during the last few years. The implementation of the agreement reached in Beijing will therefore not only foster stability and peace in this region but also serve as an important signal regarding the containment of worldwide proliferation.
We hope that this signal will also be picked up in other capitals.
