British Prime Minister Tony Blair says Britain intends to send "a very clear message" to North Korea that it must take part in a serious dialogue on its nuclear ambitions.

In a news conference Tuesday at Downing Street, Blair said 'it is important to send a very clear message to Pyongyang about the priority we attach to North Korea getting into a proper dialogue, which means that we deal with the nuclear arms issue in relation to [the] North.'

Blair's remarks come ahead of Foreign Office minister Bill Rammell's visit later this week to the communist state - a first for a British minister - to discuss Pyongyang's nuclear programs and other issues.

During his mission, Rammell will also raise the issue of human rights abuses in talks with Northern officials, including Foreign Minister Paek Nam-sun and other senior figures.

Britain first established diplomatic relations with the reclusive Stalinist state in December 2000.