(dpa) - Bilateral talks between the US and North Korea got underway Thursday in Geneva to try to further negotiations on Pyongyang's disputed nuclear weapons programme.
Chris Hill welcomed his North Korean counterpart Kim Kye Gwan at the US mission in the Swiss city. The two last met in February.
The discussions could end today but may run into Friday morning, according to a spokesman from the US mission. It is hoped to break the current deadlock in the six-party talks involving both Korea's, the US, China, Japan and Russia.
The US claims North Korea has failed to meet a 2007 year-end deadline to make a full declaration on its nuclear activities, materials and facilities in return for an energy and economic aid package.
Washington insists Pyongyang has an enriched uranium programme, which could be used for nuclear weapons. North Korea denies the claim.