The United States has reaffirmed that it is willing to hold bilateral talks with North Korea within the larger framework of the six-way nuclear talks.

Assistant Secretary of State Philip Crowley told reporters Thursday that all members of the six-way nuclear talks are concerned about Pyongyang, adding that the U.S. is not going to choose bilateral negotiations with the North at the expense of the interests of U.S. partners in the region.

Crowley reiterated that Washington believes the six-nation process remains the best mechanism to resolve the North’s nuclear issue.

He added that the U.S. has made clear to North Korea for a long time that there’s plenty of room for bilateral dialogue within the six-party framework.

Crowley’s comments come after a senior North Korean diplomat told New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson during a meeting in Santa Fe on Wednesday that Pyongyang hopes to hold direct talks with Washington.