The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) is also welcomed to provide consultations and assistance for verification if and when necessary.

The meeting drew a timetable for economic and energy aid to the DPRK. But the aid and nuclear disablement have to run concurrently, said Wu, who is also the vice-foreign minister.

The US and Russia will provide the HFO by October, while China and the ROK will sign binding agreements with the DPRK by August for non-HFO aid.

Tokyo has stayed away from contributing to the aid package because of Japanese nationals' abductions in the 1970s and 1980s. But on Saturday, it agreed to pitch in too "as soon as the environment is conducive".

The six countries also agreed to set up a monitoring mechanism. It would comprise their top negotiators and ensure all the sides fulfill their commitments toward non-proliferation and assistance to the DPRK, Wu said.

At his meeting with the six chief negotiators on Saturday, Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi said: "I hope the six parties continue working for the implementation of the second-phase action in a comprehensive and balanced way."

The six chief negotiators were satisfied with the results of the talks. US chief negotiator and Assistant Secretary of State Christopher Hill said: "We would like first of all the protocol to be reached in 45 days, and second, to actually begin verification in 45 days. We are just anticipating that and we don't see any obstacles to that."

(Xinhua News Agency, China Daily via agencies July 14, 2008)