Statement by High Representative/Vice-President Federica Mogherini on the outcome of the summit between the United States and the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea:

Today’s summit meeting between the President of the United States of America and the leader of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) reaffirms our strong conviction that diplomacy is the only way forward towards lasting peace on the Korean Peninsula. Pursuing the diplomatic track is often challenging, but it is always rewarding. This Summit was a crucial and necessary step to build upon the positive developments achieved in inter-Korean relations and on the Peninsula so far, thanks to the leadership, wisdom and determination of the President of the Republic of Korea, Moon Jae-in.

The ultimate goal, shared by the entire international community and as expressed by the United Nations Security Council, remains the complete, verifiable and irreversible denuclearisation of the Korean Peninsula. The Joint Statement signed by the U.S. and DPRK leaders today gives a clear signal that this goal can be achieved.

The European Union, as a strong supporter of the international nuclear non-proliferation regime, including the roles of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT), remains ready to facilitate and support the follow-on negotiations and other steps aimed at building confidence and ensuring long-lasting peace, security and prosperity on a Korean Peninsula free of nuclear weapons.