Japan and the U.K. were on the same page on most subjects covered by their proposed free trade pact during face-to-face ministerial negotiations this week and are aiming to reach an agreement by the end of the month.

As the clock ticks down on the transition period for the U.K.’s exit from the European Union, the two sides held in-person meetings on Thursday and Friday despite the COVID-19 pandemic to speed up negotiations.

Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi, who departed Britain on Friday local time, said he and British Trade Secretary Liz Truss now share the same sentiments on major subjects.