Visiting ROK (the Republic of Korea)President Roh Moo-hyun said in London on Thursday that the regional talks on the nuclear issue of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) should be resumed as soon as possible to find a peaceful solution to the nuclear standoff.

The six-party talks, which also include Russia, China, the United States and Japan, were the best way forward to resolve the DPRK nuclear issue, Roh told a joint news conference with British Prime Minister Tony Blair. .

The ROK and the DPRK had no plan to hold a two-way summit on the nuclear issue in the near future while the six-party process still existed, Roh told reporters following talks with Blair on the nuclear issue on the Korean Peninsula.

"If the six-party talks do not go well, then we may need another measure," Roh said.

Roh, who started his three-day state-visit to Britain on Wednesday, also issued a joint communique with Blair to mark "warmand forward-looking partnership."

"The first ever state visit to Britain by a Korean president epitomizes the strength and maturity of relations between the two countries, established 120 years ago," the communique said.

"Common values also underpin the two countries' outlook on manyinternational issues. The two leaders stressed the need for peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula. They remain committed to a swift peaceful resolution of the DPRK nuclear issue through dialogue in the Six-Party talks, and agreed to work together for the early resumption of the talks," the communique said.

On Iraq, the two leaders "looked forward to successful elections in Iraq in January next year. They agreed to continue towork together to accelerate reconstruction and promote peace and stability in Iraq."

Britain and the ROK also agreed on the necessity of close cooperation, both internationally and bilaterally, in the fight against terrorism and to prevent the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction. They agreed to the sharing, in London and Seoul,of information on counter-terrorism issues.

Source: Xinhua