The U.S. says it is prepared to engage North Korea bilaterally as a means of prompting a resumption of the stalled six-party nuclear talks.

Assistant Secretary of State Philip J. Crowley told a news briefing Friday that the U.S. had consultations with its six-way nuclear talks’ partners before making a decision on the issue.

He said next week’s U.N. General Assembly will provide an opportunity for leaders and foreign ministers of the six-party talk member nations to discuss U.S. bilateral contact with the North.

His remarks suggest that U.S.-North Korea discussions could take place soon after the U.N. General Assembly.

This is a considerable shift in Washington’s stance. Previously, the U.S. said it would only hold direct bilateral talks with the North after the nuclear aspirant returns to the six-party negotiations.

However, the U.S. made it clear that the envisioned bilateral discussions would be within the context of the six-party talks.