(VOVworld) - High-ranking negotiators from Japan, China and South Korea failed to set goals for how far they want to open their markets in the latest round of talks on a three-way free trade accord.

(Photo:businesskorea.co.kr)

The representatives agreed to keep working on the deal, reaffirming the pledge made by their leaders to seek an early conclusion to the negotiations. The three countries are considering holding working-level talks in April in South Korea. The negotiators were Deputy Foreign Minister Yasumasa Nagamine, Chinese Vice Commerce Minister Gao Yan and South Korean Assistant Minister for Trade Negotiations Kim Hak-do. This was the first time they have held talks since the leaders of the three countries vowed last November to speed up discussions on the trade accord amid improving relations between Japan and its two neighbors.