Dr. Frank-Walter Steinmeier, German federal foreign minister

Following the three-day inter-Korean summit between South Korean President Roh Moo-Hyun and North Korean leader Kim Jong-Il in Pyongyang (2-4 October), German federal foreign minister, Dr. Frank-Walter Steinmeier issued the statement below today (4 October) in Berlin:

"I welcome the encouraging developments during the inter-Korean summit. The two sides have after a long time again opened a perspective for a lasting peace system on the Korean Peninsula.

The German Government is observing all endeavours to reduce tension on the Korean Peninsula with particular interest. Now it is up to the parties involved in the inter-Korean conflict to create the prerequisites for early negotiations on a peace treaty.

Germany is more than happy to share its experience of inter-German relations with Korean counterparts. The German Government also strongly welcomes the agreement reached in the six-party talks on further steps to end the nuclear conflict with North Korea.

We now expect North Korea to fully disclose its nuclear program and to return to the international non-proliferation regime as agreed.

"The summit which ended today was only the second since the Korean War (1950-53). The last occasion was seven years ago when North Korean leader Kim Jong-Il and the then President of South Korea Kim Dae-Jung met in June 2000, also in Pyongyang.

Despite the armistice dating back to 1953, a peace treaty has yet to be agreed. Recently, a rapprochement on this issue was hindered by the North Korean nuclear program.

During the so-called six-party talks, North Korea has now agreed to fully disclose its nuclear activities by the end of the year and to disable its nuclear facilities.

The South Korean Foreign Minister Song Min-Soon is expected in Berlin for talks with Federal Foreign Minister Steinmeier next Tuesday (9 October).