The United States discussed with North Korea and China in Beijing Tuesday on the six-party talks, but the declaration schedule still unsettled.

"We have to work out a schedule for declaration. We have been working hard and trying to complete phase two," said US chief negotiator for the six-party talks Christopher Hill.

He held "great meeting" with his North Korean counterpart Kim Kye Gwan Tuesday afternoon on the agenda, but their discussion need to continue on Wednesday morning.

Hill also held talks with Chinese top negotiator Wu Dawei Tuesday afternoon on northeast Asia peace and security mechanism. Hill will continue talks with Wu on Wednesday afternoon, and meet with Japanese negotiators Wednesday evening.

"We've needed this declaration since the end of December," Hill said, emphasizing that the details it contains would have to be independently verified.

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Qin Gang said in Beijing on Tuesday afternoon at a regular press conference that China hopes the stipulations of the joint documents and all parties' commitment could be comprehensively carried out in a balanced way.

During the period, the parties concerned should enhance communication and deepen mutual trust to achieve positive results in the second-phase actions plan with a pragmatic and flexible attitude, he said.

The declaration has been an important factor blocking the progress of the six-party talks aiming at resolving the nuclear issue on the Korean Peninsula.

According to a joint document released in Beijing on October 3, 2007,  North Korea agreed to disable all its existing nuclear facilities and provide a complete and correct declaration of all its nuclear programs by the end of last year. However, the United States said it failed to do so.

Hill also emphasized the importance of a better North Korea-Japan relationship for the six-party progress, saying he hoped the two sides would get into a dialogue.

Hill will leave Beijing on Thursday for Moscow, staying there for one and a half day, and leave Moscow on Saturday.

(Xinhua News Agency May 28, 2008)