"I think they are really hopeful that Obama is going to pursue a multilateral strategy as he seems to indicate,"

VOA: standard.2009.03.29

"Multilateral diplomacy has regained a central position, with emphasis on the role that the United Nations and other international institutions can play.

VOA: standard.2009.10.09

Of course, the big difference is that this is a multilateral, a six-nation process, where the 1994 agreement was more of a bilateral deal between the U.S. and North Korea.

NPR: 'Sticking Points' Remain in North Korean Talks

As a multilateral, it is also finding a synergy with bilateral programs such as PEPFAR and PMI in several countries.

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The deal must be ratified in both countries and Russia must also agree a multilateral deal with the WTO as a whole - meaning it may be six months before its membership is complete.

BBC: NEWS | Business | US paves way for Russia WTO entry