Brussels, 19/04/2002 (Agence Europe) - Negotiations between the EU and Chile in view of the conclusion of an association and free-trade agreement progressed this week, Antony Gooch, spokesman for Commissioner Lamy, told the press on Friday, stipulating that the chapters on competition and dispute settlement were now closed, and that discussions on services and market access (see EUROPE of 13 April, p.8 and 18 April, p. 11) were continuing over the weekend. Tuesday, Chilean Foreign Minister, Maria Soledad Alvear, will arrive in Brussels where she will meet Messrs. Lamy and Patten, Commissioners for trade and external affairs, to discuss the round of negotiations, and "maybe this meeting could complete it", said Mr. Gooch. The issues of wines and spirits, agriculture, agricultural products and fisheries will be broached as early as Monday. Insisting on the determination to reach an agreement, the European Commission is showing optimism, especially as according to Mr. Lamy's spokesman "there is no deadline for this round". Negotiations will thus go to the finish.