U.S. chief nuclear negotiator Christopher Hill has expressed skepticism on the chances of holding the next round of six-party talks, aimed at North Korea’s nuclear dismantlement, by year’s end.

The assistant secretary made this statement in a meeting with reporters after arriving in Beijing from his three-day trip to North Korea.

Hill said it would be ideal to hold the multilateral talks before December 31st, but that many members had problems with the dates, referring to the holiday season.

He added that the next round would most likely happen after early January, and said the matter would have to be discussed with the host country China and the other countries involved.

The secretary said that talks with Pyongyang on its nuclear dismantlement and program declaration progressed without any disagreements and that it was a cooperative atmosphere. However, Hill said he cannot disclose the details.

The chief negotiator will meet with his Chinese counterpart Wu Dawei Thursday to discuss the dates for the six-party talks and will leave Beijing Friday.

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