denuclearisation

Another requirement could be the removal of nuclear weapons from the specified region - denuclearisation.

Some stumbling blocks remain, in particular concerning denuclearisation and relations with Russia.

The editorial also made reference to denuclearisation on the Korean peninsula, in what analysts claimed was a "hopeful" sign.

Reciprocal inspections between the North and the South are already envisaged in a joint agreement on denuclearisation.

He urged the country to take steps towards the resumption of the stalled six-party denuclearisation talks.

The Denuclearisation of the Oceans.

Following the UN criticism, the North pulled out of international negotiations on its denuclearisation and ejected all monitors from the country.

The main difference is the agenda for any resumed talks, with Washington insistent that the aim must be the complete denuclearisation of the Korean peninsula.

North Korea has tested two nuclear bombs and in 2009 renounced a US-backed agreement on denuclearisation.

'It's in the common interests of the countries concerned in the region to realise denuclearisation of the Korean peninsula,' China's foreign ministry said.

"Our goal is complete and verifiable denuclearisation of the Korean peninsula, and we will not accept North Korea as a nuclear weapons state."

China has been facilitating the Six Party denuclearisation talks after Pyongyang successful detonated a nuclear device in 2006, sending shock waves around the world.

They said peaceful denuclearisation of the Korean peninsula was essential to keep the regional peace and expressed full support for resumption of the stalled six-party talks.

He also added that "The EU has consistently supported the goal of complete and verifiable denuclearisation of the Korean peninsula.

Many analysts believe the moves were intended to grab Washington's attention and set the stage for a return to stalled denuclearisation talks in conditions more favourable to Pyongyang.

In Article 1 of Protocol 11, the signatories agree to respect fully the statute of denuclearisation of Latin America.'in all its express aims and provisions'.

North Korea's leader, Kim Jong-il, has promised to work with China to resume denuclearisation talks, according to state media reports of his secretive visit to Beijing this week.

Talks between the closed communist state and five nations - the US, South Korea, Japan, China and Russia - on the denuclearisation deal have been stalled since April 2009.

Gemba said Washington, Tokyo and Seoul all agreed on the need to maintain stability and repeated a call on Pyongyang to take "concrete action" to show it is interested in denuclearisation.

"We encourage North Korea to work for peace and security in the region and take the steps necessary to allow the resumption of the six-party talks on denuclearisation of the Korean peninsula," he added.

"The Holy See encourages bilateral or multilateral negotiations, convinced that the solution must be sought through peaceful means and in respect for agreements taken by all sides to obtain the denuclearisation of the Korean Peninsula."

We should also stay focused on the ultimate objective, which is to achieve verifiable denuclearisation of the Korean Peninsula, as the foundation for lasting peace and stability there, given the tense armed stand-off across the demilitarised zone.

According to the Xinhua News Agency, the North Korean leader affirmed his commitment to the denuclearisation of the peninsula and said he would work with China to create favourable conditions for a resumption of six-party talks.

It says the decision is unrelated to denuclearisation, but experts point out how closely talks on the two issues have run and say North Korea has greatly improved access for monitoring and assessment - the grounds that the state department gives for requiring further discussions.

Soviet initiatives for the Mediterranean in the guise of denuclearisation or the creation of zones of peace date back at least to the Soviet 'Draft Declaration on Non-Intervention in the Middle East' presented in February 1957.