Japan and Mexico agreed Tuesday to finalize the details of a planned bilateral investment protection pact over the next three months in a bid to conclude it within six months.
Takeo Hiranuma, minister of economy, trade and industry, and Luis Ernesto Derbez, the Mexican economy secretary, announced the agreement at a joint press conference after their meeting.
"I expect the investment protection pact will be concluded when President (Vincente) Fox visits Japan," Hiranuma said, adding that the two agreed Fox's visit will come within six months.
They said senior officials from the two countries will continue talks on how to strengthen their trade partnership, possibly through a free-trade agreement, after the investment protection pact is concluded.