EU's diplomatic channels with N. Korea may benefit Japan: envoy

The European Union has been committed to working with Tokyo to tackle North Korea's nuclear weapon threats, the EU ambassador to Japan said Wednesday, adding it has maintained diplomatic channels with Pyongyang just in case, to avoid a military conflict.The regional bloc has been trying to put pressure on North Korea in tandem with the United States, Japan and South Korea, sharing the view that Pyongyang is a "top priority on the international agenda," Viorel Isticioaia-Budura said in an interview with Kyodo News.On Monday, EU foreign ministers decided to step up unilateral sanctions on Pyo…READ FULL ARTICLE