G8 calls on N.Korea to abandon nuclear program

TOYAKO (Hokkaido), July 8 (RIA Novosti) - The G8 leaders welcomed Tuesday North Korea's move in late June to submit information on its nuclear program and called on the country to give up its nuclear ambitions. "Noting the progress made through the Six-Party process since last year, we welcome, though long overdue, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK)'s provision of a declaration as a step toward the full implementation of the Joint Statement," the Group of Eight leading industrialized nations said. "Comprehensive verification of the declaration is of utmost importance, and we look forward to an early agreement on the principles/regime of the verification. We urge the DPRK to fully cooperate in the verification process, including its effective implementation," the statement said. "We also emphasize the importance... [read full story]