EU urges N.Korea to return to talks, halt firings

HELSINKI, Sept 9 (Reuters) The European Union today called on North Korea to return to the negotiating table with other global powers over its nuclear programme and to refrain from firing more missiles.

In a joint statement after a summit in the Finnish capital, the EU and South Korea said ''they strongly called on North Korea to reinstate its moratorium on missile testing, return to six-party talks without delay'' and honour previous agreements.

The United States, South Korea, China, Japan and Russia have been involved in talks with North Korea. But the negotiations have been dormant since November after Pyongyang refused to return to the table.

In today's joint statement, the EU also reiterated ''its firm support for the Republic of Korea's policy for peace and prosperity'' in North Korea, a referece to Seoul's attempts to engage with its northern neighbour.

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