|
US urges Ecuador, Colombia to end talks for free trade pacts
(Xinhua)
Updated: 2005-12-09 09:41
The United States hopes to complete negotiations with Ecuador and Colombia
for free trade agreements as soon as possible, US Ambassador to Ecuador Linda
Jewell told reporters on Thursday.
Jewell said she was pleased by Peru's decision to sign a free trade pact with
her country on Wednesday. It was an example Colombia and Ecuador should follow,
she said.
The ambassador hoped Ecuador would do the same, saying both Ecuador and the
United States should make concessions for the goal.
"We will start face-to-face conversations with Ecuador at the end of
January," Jewell said.
She added the military base in Ecuador's Manta region which has been leased
to the United States for 10 years for anti-drug operations, would not be a part
of the free trade pact.
Colombia and Ecuador withdrew from the 19-month-old regional trade talks with
Washington late last month for differences over agriculture and intellectual
property policies.
In response to a request from Ecuador, US President George W. Bush has agreed
to extend trade talks with Quito till the end of January next
year.
|
