The United States said on Tuesday that it is ready to return to the six-party talks and hopes to make progress in the new discussions.

"In terms of the date, we would hope to return at the earliest possible moment. If that date is next week, we are prepared to return next week to the six-party talks," State Department spokesman Sean McCormack said at a briefing.

However, McCormack said that a final date for the six-party talks had not been announced yet.

"If it is next week, we will be prepared and ready to roll up our sleeves and work to make progress in these discussions," McCormack said.

The fourth round of six-party talks, which lasted for 13 days in Beijing last month, is now in recess. The Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) has said that the talks can be resumed next week.

The six-party talks, involving the United States, the DPRK, the Republic of Korea, China, Japan and Russia, have been committed to resolving the DPRK nuclear issue.

Source: Xinhua