Saturday, July 30 2005 12:09 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Beijing: The US today (July 30, 2005) said the six parties discussing the North Korean nuclear issue here will have discussions on a joint statement and expect to reach an agreement on how to dismantle North Korea's atomic weapons programme.

"We will have a lot of discussion about the text, and see if we can come to some agreement today," said Christopher Hill, the top US negotiator to the six-party talks.

Hill, also Assistant Secretary of State for East Asia and Pacific told reporters on his way to the fifth day of the six-party talks at the Diaoyutai State Guest House here.

"Even though the text will be brief, it will be rather important," said Hill. "It means a lot to the six parties concerned."

"But I want to let you know it will take a while and cannot be finished within a day," said Hill. "This is a very difficult negotiation."

The parties concerned are expected to work for drafting a joint document at the meeting of delegation heads, said Japanese delegation head Sasae Kenichiroand.

The delegation heads will meet again today, the press centre of the six-party talks said. Asked about the schedule of the US delegation, Hill said there will be more bilateral meetings.

The delegations of the US and North Korea, two major parties in the talks, agreed yesterday to hold another bilateral meeting today.