ASEM FOREIGN MINISTERS CONDEMN NORTH KOREA'S NUCLEAR TEST

HANOI, May 26 (Bernama) -- Asia and Europe foreign ministers have condemned
North Korea's latest nuclear test and urged Pyongyang to return to the
Six-Party Talks.

In a statement issued at the Ninth Asia Europe Meeting (ASEM) here, the
ministers said there was a need to maintain peace, stability and
non-proliferation, adding that the test was a clear violation of the Six-Party
agreements and relevant United Nations Security Council (UNSC) resolutions and
decisions.

The ministers strongly urged North Korea not to conduct any further nuclear
test and to comply fully with the UNSC decisions.

"We support the Six-Party Talks to seek early and verifiable
denuclearisation of the Korean peninsula in a peaceful manner, thereby
contributing to peace and stability in Northeast Asia," the ministers said.

At the same time, ministers from the 45 countries which include UNSC
permanent members China, Britain and France, also stressed the importance of
addressing the humanitarian concerns.

North Korea's news agency KCNA had reported that the country had carried out
one underground nuclear test on Monday, which sent shockwaves across the region
and increased tension with its neighbours South Korea and Japan.

Korea's Foreign Minister Yu Myung-hwan and his Japanese counterpart Hirofumi
Nakasone returned early from the two-day meeting to deal with the latest crisis
with North Korea.

Swedish Foreign Minister Carl Bildt said every country condemned the test
and hoped North Korea would return to the talks as soon as possible.
-- BERNAMA