G8 foreign ministers start talks on Syria, Iran, DPRK

"The events of this past year, even of just this past week, affirm the continued need for comprehensive international cooperation, and the G8 is an essential forum for that," U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said in the opening remarks of the meeting at the Blair House, the country's official state guest house Xinhua reported. 

The two-day meeting is designed to prepare for the G8 Summit due to be held at Camp David in Maryland on May 18 and 19. 

Clinton said the ministers will explore ways to "bring about a peaceful resolution of the current situation (in Syria) and a political transition for the sake of the Syrian people." 

In terms of the upcoming nuclear talks between Iran and the six world powers in Turkey's Istanbul on April 14, Clinton said this is an opportunity for Iran to address international concerns about its disputed nuclear program. 

Believing there is still time for diplomacy, she stressed the urgency that Iran should establish "an environment conducive to achieving concrete results" through the talks. 

Commenting on the situation on the Korean Peninsula, Clinton said: "I think we all share a strong interest in stability on the Korean Peninsula, and we will be discussing how best to achieve that as well." 

Clinton also spoke of the meeting of the Middle East Quartet held here earlier the day. 

The Quartet, grouping the United Nations, the European Union, Russia and the United States, underscored its support for Jordan's mediation efforts and remained committed to the goals previously outlined, she said. 

At a meeting in New York last September, the Quartet set the end of this year as the deadline for the Middle East peace agreement framework between the Israelis and Palestinians. 

Clinton also mentioned other transnational issues to be discussed, including anti-terrorism, piracy, food security, among others.