Beijing, July 31:

Negotiators tried to work out a joint statement on eliminating North Korea’s nuclear weapons programme during a sixth day of talks today, but differences remained over demands by the communist state for what it would get in return. Deputy leaders of delegations from six governments met for five hours at a Chinese government guesthouse to examine a China-proposed draft statement, a South Korean official said on condition of anonymity due to the ongoing talks. Discussions today focused on “what corresponding measures other parties will take” in return for the North’s agreement to dismantle its nuclear weapons programme, South Korea’s chief envoy said.