The Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) talks, which started last Saturday, ended today with the trade ministers pledging to resolve some issues and make further strides towards a final agreement.

In a joint statement released at the end of the four-day meeting, the ministers said they had agreed on the majority of the landing zones identified at their last meeting.

“While some issues remain, we have charted a path forward to resolve them in the context of a comprehensive and balanced outcome,” they said in the statement.

The ministers said through the extensive bilateral meetings, “they have also made progress on market access, which is an important part of our remaining work, and we will continue working towards completion of an ambitious package across all market access areas.”

They said following this round of talks, they would return to their capitals to undertake consultations on the outstanding issues.

The ministers said they were committed to concluding as soon as possible an agreement that achieves the goals established in Honolulu in 2011, as instructed by TPP member state leaders in Bali last October.

“We will invest considerable amount of effort that is required to deliver an agreement that will create jobs for our citizens, opportunities for our businesses and economic growth and development in each TPP country.

“So far no new dates have been set for the next round of talks,” they said.

The ministers and heads of delegations represented Australia, Brunei Darussalam, Canada, Chile, Japan, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, Peru, Singapore, the US and Vietnam.

Malaysia is represented by International Trade and Industry Minister Mustapa Mohamed.

- Bernama