New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson is stressing the need for dialogue with North Korea.

The veteran diplomat and former U.S. ambassador to the United Nations told Fox News Thursday that it's better to talk to North Korea than to isolate it.

Richardson said the North pursued more nuclear weapons and became more belligerent when it was isolated from the international community for being labeled part of the so-called “axis of evil.” He made the comment after he met with Kim Myong-gil, a senior North Korean diplomat with the North’s mission to the United Nations.

Richardson said he thinks the North is sending a signal that the atmosphere for talks is much improved.

He added that Pyongyang has shown a lot of positive steps of late, including plans to send a delegation of North Koreans to South Korea to pay respects to late former President Kim Dae-jung.

Richardson stressed that this is the time to negotiate with the North in a tough way, possibly bilaterally, face-to-face, but within the six-party talks structure that is consistent with Washington’s policy.