High-level talks between North Korea and the United States were held for the first time in 19 months.

The two sides met at the U.S. Mission to the U.N. in New York on Thursday morning. At the meeting, the U.S. urged the North to scrap all its nuclear weapons programs, including its uranium enrichment program, and allow nuclear inspectors to return to North Korea ahead of resuming the stalled six-way nuclear talks. The U.S. also called on the North to fully abide by the September 19th, 2005 Joint Statement and suspend all nuclear tests and ballistic missile launches.

The North, on its part, called for discussions with the U.S. on adopting a peace treaty, normalization of ties with the U.S. and lifting of sanctions against the North.

North Korea's First Vice Foreign Minister Kim Kye-gwan told reporters that the atmosphere of the talks was good and constructive.

The second round of discussions will be held on Friday in New York as well. The North’s delegation is being led by Kim and the U.S. is being represented by Special Representative for North Korea Policy Stephen Bosworth.