North Korea’s Vice Foreign Minister Kim Kye-kwan says his country will cooperate actively for successful bilateral talks with the United States.

In an interview with Fox News on Tuesday, Kim said North Korea has committed itself to efforts for successful talks with the United States and to defend peace, which he said is a common goal for both the North and the U.S.

Kim’s comments come as Ri Gun, the director general of the North Korean Foreign Ministry's United States division, is set to attend two meetings in the U.S. next week.

His statement apparently reaffirms Pyongyang’s intention to hold bilateral talks with the U.S.