IAEA Director General Yukiya Amano issued the following statement:
"The announcement by the United States about its recent talks with the Democratic People's Republic of Korea is an important step forward.
"As I have said before, the Agency has an essential role to play in verifying the DPRK's nuclear programme. Pending further details, we stand ready to return to Yongbyon to undertake monitoring activities upon request and with the agreement of the Agency's Board of Governors."