TRIESTE, June 26 (RIA Novosti) - G8 foreign ministers have condemned North Korea's May 25 nuclear test as a threat to regional security.

"We condemn in the strongest terms the nuclear test conducted on May 25 in violation of UN Security Council resolution 1718 and the rocket launch of April 5 which constitute a threat to regional peace and stability," a draft statement read.

The statement also called on the reclusive North to return to six-party talks aimed at resolving the issue of its controversial nuclear program.

The ministers are gathered in Trieste, Italy and have been focusing on security in Afghanistan and Pakistan, among other international issues.

North Korea has accused the U.S. and South Korea of provoking a new war, and warned that it will "wipe out" any aggressors if a conflict breaks out.

The warning follows Washington's pledge to provide an "extended" nuclear umbrella for South Korea against the threat of a nuclear strike from the North, as tensions grow over Pyongyang's nuclear activities.