Panama and Colombia launch their third round of talks on free trade agreement

Panama and Colombia began the third round of talks for a free trade agreement, which is unlikely be completed before Colombian president Alvaro Uribe leaves power, according to Francisco Alvarez de Soto, Panama's deputy minister for international trade negotiations.

 

The minister said that his country's team would be satisfied if talks reach a stage where a fourth round is discussed.

 

"So this won't necessarily be a closing round," the negotiator said, adding that he was convinced that a deal would be sealed during the administration of Juan Manuel Santos, who takes the reins on August 7.

 

Original source: Colombia Reports