Six-party talks best framework for peaceful resolution on nuclear issue: Obama

SEOUL, Nov. 13 (Xinhua) -- U.S. President Barack Obama said his country believed the six-party talks are the best framework for reaching peaceful resolution for the denuclearization of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK), South Korea's Yonhap News Agency reported Friday.

Obama made the remark in an interview with Yonhap ahead of his visit to Seoul.

He said "the September 2005 Joint Statement clearly lays out the goals we must achieve."

His administration "is open to a bilateral meeting (with the Pyongyang) as part of the six-party process if that will lead to an expeditious resumption of the denuclearization negotiations," Obama said.

The U.S. president will pay a visit for South Korea on Nov. 18-19. During his stay in Seoul, Obama will hold consultations with his South Korean counterpart Lee Myung-bak on the nuclear issue and other subjects.

Obama said Washington and Seoul are "in full agreement on the need to achieve a comprehensive resolution of the nuclear, missile, and proliferation problems, and cooperation between two governments is extremely close."

"Pursuit of nuclear weapons and missile delivery systems makes North Korea (DPRK) and the region less secure, whereas negotiations in the six-party process to achieve the peaceful denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula can bring security and prosperity to North Korea (DPRK) and the region," Obama said.

"This is the choice that North Korea (DPRK) faces. North Korea (DPRK) has the opportunity to move towards acceptance by the international community if it will comply with its international obligations and live up to its own commitments. By taking irreversible steps towards the complete elimination of its nuclear program, it will be following the peaceful path towards security and respect," Obama said.