The first six-party talks working group meeting on the Korean nuclear issue laid a basis for deepening the talks, said a Chinese senior official in Beijing Saturday.

"The meeting is an important step to further the six-party talks", said Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Dai Bingguo while meeting with the heads of the working groups from the six parties and diplomatic envoys to China from related countries.

Dai said all sides had candid and in-depth discussions in the meeting based on the fruits of the second round of six-party talks, including new ideas for solving related questions.

The working-level talks resulted in consensus and progress, enhanced mutual understanding and forged basis for furthering the talks, he noted.

"There is still a long way to go to settle the Korean nuclear issue," Dai said, "but if all sides, with full sincerity, enough patience and confidence, try to enhance trust and settle suspicion, they can expand consensus and push forward the six-party talks."

The heads of the working groups from the six parties appreciated China for its efforts to host the meeting, saying the meeting was very conducive and they were ready to make active preparation for the third round six-party talks.

The first working group meeting of the six-party talks on the Korean nuclear issue opened Wednesday morning at Diaoyutai State Guesthouse in China's capital, and ended Saturday morning.

Source: Xinhua