China, Japan and South Korea Thursday expressed appreciation for the efforts of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) to find a peaceful resolution to the nuclear issue in the Korean peninsula.

Philippine President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, chair of the ASEAN this year, has been pushing the regional grouping's efforts to deal with the Korean peninsula nuclear issue to ensure peace and stability in the region.

China, Japan and South Korea are ASEAN's Plus Three Partners.

Chinese Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing, Japanese Senior Vice- Foreign Minister Katsuhito Asano and South Korean Foreign Minister Song Min-soon took cognizance of ASEAN's move in this regard during the ASEAN foreign ministers' working lunch here Thursday, chaired by Philippine Foreign Affairs Secretary Alberto G. Romulo.

"The Philippines fully supports the Six-Party Talks and the relevant United Nations Resolutions that press for a peaceful outcome to this problem," Romulo told his fellow foreign ministers.

"For this reason, the Philippines, as ASEAN Chair, offers its good offices and a venue to facilitate the continuation of diplomacy," he added.

Romulo also acknowledged the key roles being played by China, Japan and South Korea in maintaining peace and stability in the region through the Six- Party talks.

"We count on the collective leadership of China, Japan and the Republic of Korea to make headway at the anticipated resumption of the Six-Party Talks that China has been hosting," he said.

He also expressed the hope that the Six-Party Talks will lead to a peaceful and comprehensive solution of the Korean peninsula nuclear issue.

Saying that the stability of the entire region and the future of proliferation are also at stake, the Philippine official also said that "all these make the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula imperative."

He added that ASEAN is "encouraged by the resumption last month of the Six -Party Talks. We urge that these talks continue without any further delay."

Romulo said "diplomatic option remains a very high priority" in the resolution of the Korean peninsula nuclear issue.

Prior to the meeting, Romulo had suggested that it may be beneficial to the Six -Party Talks if a parallel "Track Two" talks could be held, as this would allow for greater flexibility, with its informal and non-attribution nature.

"Next month, we will host a meeting, under the auspices of the ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) of experts and eminent persons on Northeast Asian security and it is our hope that our proposal for this Track Two approach will receive support," he said.

Source: Xinhua