HELSINKI, Finland: Premier Wen Jiabao yesterday urged all countries involved in the Six-Party Talks to resort to dialogue to narrow differences and increase mutual trust so as to resolve the nuclear issue on the Korean Peninsula.

The situation remains the most pressing issue in Northeast Asia's security environment and early resumption of the Six-Party Talks is urgent, according to Wen.

Pyongyang has boycotted the talks involving China, the United States, South Korea, Japan and Russia, since last November. It refuses to return to the negotiating table until Washington lifts financial restrictions imposed after claims that the country produced fake US money and traded illegal drugs.

All parties should take into consideration their long-term interests, keep calm, maintain restraint and start negotiations to solve the problem, said Chinese Premier.

Wen made the remarks yesterday at the closed-door sessions of the sixth Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM6), at which leaders from 38 countries discussed such topics as strengthening multilateralism, handling security threats, dialogue among cultures and civilizations, sustainable development, energy security, globalization and competitiveness as well as the future of ASEM.

The two-day summit ended yesterday after reviewing 10 years of development and drafting a blueprint for the future. Beijing will host the next biennial ASEM summit in October 2008.

On the Iranian nuclear standoff, Wen said that diplomatic negotiations are the best way to resolve the problem.

He urged Iran to pay heed to the concerns of the international community and take constructive measures, while other parties show patience and flexibility to resume the talks at an early date.

Turning to situation in the Middle East, he said that the Palestine issue is the core of the problem and all parties should use negotiations to resolve disputes according to the "land-for-peace" principle and UN resolutions.

Wen raised six proposals on strengthening multilateralism and handling security threats:

Increasing the UN's ability to cope with new threats and new challenges.

Implementing the Millennium Development Goal to eradicate threats to global security.

Resolving international disputes through dialogue and negotiations, and shunning the use, or threat, of military force.

Strengthening anti-terrorism co-operation and opposing double standards.

Safeguarding the authority and effectiveness of the current multilateral non-proliferation treaties.

Co-operating in infectious disease control to deal with non-traditional threats such as avian flu.

(China Daily 09/12/2006 page1)