IAEA chief 'positive' after N Korea talks

North Korea is positive about returning to the International Atomic Energy Agency, the chief of the UN nuclear watchdog said …

North Korea is positive about returning to the International Atomic Energy Agency, the chief of the UN nuclear watchdog said today.

IAEA head Mohamed ElBaradei was speaking after a trip to North Korea which he described as "quite useful".

Mohamed ElBaradei
Mohamed ElBaradei

"It is in the interests of North Korea to normalise relations with the IAEA," he told a news conference. "We cleared the air. We opened the door for a normal relationship."

He said North Korea remained committed to the February 13th agreement reached at six-party talks grouping the two Koreas, Russia, Japan, the United States and host China. The deal aims to put an end to Pyongyang's nuclear weapons programme.

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