"The results of the talks in the two capitals make me optimistic about the forthcoming forth round and the talks as a whole," Mr. Lavrov told a press conference after the talks with North Korean leader Kim Jong-il on Monday.
The Russian Foreign Minister visited South Korea on July 3-4 and North Korea on July 4-5.
According to the minister, his talks with Kim Jong-il and North Korean Foreign Minister Paek Nam-sun focused on the Korean nuclear problem.
"We agreed that the progress achieved at the third round of the six-nation talks [Russia, China, Japan, North Korea, the US and South Korea] in June 2004 lets us hope for practical agreements on the first stage of the settlement at the forth round," Mr. Lavrov said.
"We should adhere to the package settlement, which implies security guarantees and social aid to North Korea and the denuclearization of the Korean peninsula," the Russian minister stressed.
"Further talks must be based on this key principle," he added.
The talks on the North Korean nuclear problem should confirm Pyongyang's right to develop atom for peace under the conditions of North Korea's participate in the nuclear non-proliferation treaty and IAEA activities, Sergei Lavrov noted.
"Our Korean friends understand this Russian position," he said.
Sergei Lavrov handed Kim-Jong-il Russian President Vladimir Putin's message.
The North Korean leader expressed gratitude for Vladimir Putin's readiness for further development of Moscow-Pyongyang relations on the basis of the cooperation and friendship treaty signed four years ago, Sergei Lavrov reported.
Moreover, Kim Jong-il thanked Russia for its permanent assistance, especially, the aid to overcome consequences of the recent railway tragedy and supplies of 35 tons of grain, the Russian minister said.
