EU Hails Trump-Kim Summit as 'Positive Development'

The EU on Friday hailed an announced summit between U.S. President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un as a "positive development" in the tense standoff with Pyongyang.

European Union spokeswoman Maja Kocijancic also welcomed reports that the North is willing to discuss ending its nuclear program and halt testing while talks take place, saying it could prepare the ground for a negotiated resolution.

Global tensions with the reclusive regime have been at fever pitch for months, with Pyongyang testing nuclear and ballistic weapons in defiance of international condemnation and Trump and Kim trading insults, raising fears of war.

"We believe President Trump's readiness to accept Kim Jong Un's invitation to a summit meeting by May also represents a positive development," Kocijancic told reporters, saying the EU looked forward to the outcome of the talks.

The EU has tough sanctions in place against North Korea over its nuclear and ballistic weapons programs as part of international efforts to force Pyongyang to the negotiating table.

Earlier this week Seoul's national security adviser returned from talks in Pyongyang with agreement for an inter-Korean summit in April and a pledge from the North to end its nuclear program if its security is guaranteed.

"We've seen a reported commitment by the DPKR to enter negotiations on denuclearization and refrain from testing nuclear weapons while these negotiations would take place," Kocijancic said.

"If this is corroborated this could create necessary conditions towards a negotiated solution."

South Korean Foreign Minister Kang Kyung-Wha will hold talks with her EU counterparts in Brussels on March 19 to update them on developments and Kocijancic said the bloc stood ready to support dialogue.