Speaking to journalists in Luxembourg 13 February, IAEA Director General Mohamed ElBaradei welcomed the outcome of the latest Six Party talks on the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) nuclear programme, welcoming it as "a step in the right direction."

Dr. ElBaradei said he expects that the Agency, with the concurrence of the Board of Governors, will provide monitoring and verification required by the agreement.

Dr. ElBaradei was in Luxembourg on an official visit.

The Third Session of the Fifth Round of the Six-Party Talks was held in Beijing 8-13 February 2007 and included delegations from China, the DPRK, Japan, the Republic of Korea, Russia, and the USA. The Parties held discussions on the actions each Party will take in the initial phase for the implementation of the Joint Statement of 19 September 2005.