Japan and Mexico agreed Tuesday to strive to conclude a bilateral free-trade agreement by the time Mexican President Vincente Fox visits Japan in autumn 2003, Japanese officials said.
The agreement was reached at a meeting between Keiji Furuya, senior vice minister of economy, trade and industry, and Mexican Economy Secretary Luis Ernesto Derbez, the officials said.
Furuya and Derbez met on the sidelines of a meeting of energy ministers from the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation forum.
The officials said Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi and Fox are expected to agree to launch in-depth negotiations on the free-trade pact when they meet on the sidelines of the October APEC summit in Los Cabos, Mexico.
The two nations agreed in June 2001 to set up a joint study group comprising government, business and academic representatives to beef up their economic ties, with an eye to concluding an FTA.
Japan signed its first FTA in January, with Singapore.
Unlike the Singapore pact, however, a deal with Mexico would involve politically sensitive issues, including trade in fisheries and farm products, including pork and asparagus.
During Tuesday's meeting, Furuya was quoted as saying, "It is important that (Japan and Mexico) aim to draw a conclusion to sign the FTA by next fall."
Derbez was quoted as agreeing with Furuya, saying, "It is important to carry on (the negotiations) by setting dates."