North Korea delegation leaves for nuke talks with U.S.February 21, 2012 - 20:41 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - North Korea's delegation left for talks about its nuclear programme with the United States, in what will be the first significant contact by the two sides since the death of leader Kim Jong-Il, AFP reported. The team headed by First Vice-Foreign Minister Kim Kye-Gwan departed on Tuesday, February 21 to attend "high-level talks" with the U.S., the state news agency said in a one-sentence report. Kim will meet Glyn Davies, coordinator for U.S. policy on North Korea, in Beijing Thursday for discussions expected to provide clues about policy directions under Pyongyang's new leaders. The bilateral meeting will be the third since last July. The two sides had been scheduled to meet in December but the plan was shelved after Kim's death on December 17. Kim's youngest son Jong-Un has taken over but the regime has warned the world not to expect major policy changes. The U.S. and North Korea will discuss a possible resumption of six-nation talks on the North's nuclear disarmament which were last held in December 2008. The six-way talks group includes China, Japan, the two Koreas, Russia and the United States. Pyongyang wants an unconditional return to dialogue. Washington says it must first show sincerity, for example by shutting down a uranium enrichment plant which could give it a second way to make atomic bombs. North Korea said last month that the United States had offered food aid and a suspension of sanctions if it halts its enrichment programme. The comments by a Pyongyang foreign ministry spokesman suggested that a deal was still on the cards if the U.S. raises the amount of food it is willing to offer. Top stories Authorities said a total of 192 Azerbaijani troops were killed and 511 were wounded during Azerbaijan’s offensive. In 2023, the Azerbaijani government will increase the country’s defense budget by more than 1.1 billion manats ($650 million). The bill, published on Monday, is designed to "eliminate the shortcomings of an unreasonably broad interpretation of the key concept of "compatriot". The earthquake caused a temporary blackout, damaged many buildings and closed a number of rural roads. Partner news | The Power of One Dram to benefit Road of Life charity The companies inform that the May beneficiary of The Power of One Dram is the “Road of Life” charitable organization. Ucom General Director gives lecture at French University in Armenia The General Director of Ucom Ralph Yirikian delivered a lecture at the French University of Armenia. Kazakhstan welcomes Yerevan, Baku’s agreement to meet in Almaty Kassym-Jomart Tokayev has welcomed the agreement of Baku and Yerevan to hold negotiations in Almaty. Armenia offers to temporarily host, preserve Gaza manuscripts The Armenian Foreign Minister has said Yerevan is ready to help preserve manuscripts from the conflict zone in Gaza. |