Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Alexander Losiukov said Monday morning at the Beijing airport that he is "discreetly optimistic" about the six-party talks on the Korean nuclear issue, due to open on Aug. 27.

"We will strive to propel the talks to go on," said Losiukov, who is heading the Russian delegation for the upcoming six-party talks.

The Russian delegation is the first to arrive in Beijing.

The delegations of the Republic of Korea (ROK), Japan and the United States are scheduled to arrive here later Monday and the delegation of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) is expected to be here Tuesday.

The talks, decided by China, the DPRK, the United States, the ROK, Russia and Japan after consultations, are scheduled to last for three days.

The six-party talks represent an important step towards a peaceful solution to the Korean nuclear issue, according to the Chinese Foreign Ministry.

On Aug. 18, Losiukov and Japanese Ambassador to Russian Nomura Issei held consultations in Moscow, and the two sides hoped that the solution to the Korean nuclear issue would provide a nuclear-free status for the Korean Peninsula, ensure the security of relevant nations and peace and stability in Northeast Asia.
 
(Xinhua News Agency August 25, 2003)