The United States said Monday it hopes to convene another round of six-nation talks on the North Korean nuclear weapons issue at an early date.

During a press briefing in Crawford, Texas, White House spokesman Trent Duffy said that the U.S. stands ready to resume the six-party talks at an early date, without preconditions, and is working with others in order to effectuate such a meeting.

He said the American goal in the talks remains the complete, verifiable and irreversible elimination of North Korea's nuclear program.

The comments came after the North expressed its willingness through China to take part in a new round of discussions.

Upon his return from a trip to Pyongyang, Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Wang Yi said that over the weekend, the North had agreed to hold a second round of talks early next year.