Chile and Japan began their fourth round of talks in Santiago Monday, seeking a free trade agreement (FTA).

Heading the Chilean delegation is Carlos Furche, director general of the international economic relations department of the Foreign Ministry. Seiichi Kondo, Japan's special ambassador for trade and economic relations, leads a 53-strong negotiating team, which will be in Chile until next Monday or Tuesday.

Furche told the press that during this round of talks, the two sides would seek agreements on market access, define terms and determine the structure of the agreement.

"I imagine that if we achieve significant progress in market access, then we will not be a long way from... concluding the negotiation," Furche said, estimating that two more rounds would complete the deal.

Chile and Japan agreed last November to launch formal FTA talks. They held their first round of talks in Tokyo in February and a second one in Santiago in May. The two countries began the third round in July.

Both Chile and Japan want to create a timetable for the conclusion of the deal before the change of government due in Japan at the end of this year, fearing that with the exit of Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi, Japan's geographical trade deal priorities would change.

Source: Xinhua