Foreign Affairs Secretary Blas F. Ople today said that the optimism of the Philippines continues to grow at the improving stance being taken by the Peoples’ Republic of Korea in connection with the possibility of holding multilateral talks over the nuclear issue on the Korean peninsula.  The Secretary had previously said that the Philippines was cautiously optimistic over initial signs that the DPRK was close to accepting multilateral talks (please see DFA press release 399-03, 31 July 2003).

“The improving stance of the DPRK in terms of accepting multilateral talks in resolving the Korean peninsula nuclear issue is a welcome one and I hope that there is indeed good reason to feel optimistic about it,” Secretary Ople said.

The Secretary said that the Philippines continues to be concerned over the Korean peninsula situation and that he was hopeful that the issue will be resolved in a peaceful way.

“We are glad that China has been taking an active role and we believe that the multilateral talks to be held in Beijing may be the key towards finding a political solution that is acceptable to all,” the Secretary said, adding that the Philippines was an advocate of a two-prong solution.

“The two elements of our own suggested solution are: adequate security assurances for the DPRK and efforts to slowly bring in to the regional and global mainstream the economy of the DPRK,” the Secretary said.

The DPRK said Monday that U.S.-proposed six-nation talks on the Korean peninsula nuclear issue will begin "soon" in Beijing, while a South Korean official said they would begin early next month.

The DPRK and the United States announced last Friday that they had agreed to hold multilateral talks on North Korea's nuclear programs. The proposed talks will include the two Koreas, the United States, Japan, China and Russia. END.