Brussels, 25/09/2009 (Agence Europe) - The 6th round of negotiations on association and trade agreements between the EU and Colombia and Peru in Brussels on 23-25 September saw definite progress towards a definitive agreement. Negotiators virtually settled all the points that were pending, apart from the biggest dispute - over bananas - which the European Commission wants to settle at the WTO as part of the multilateral Doha Round talks. “Negotiations are make rapid progress,” Chief European Negotiator Rupert Schlegelmilch told press after the meeting. He said that the parties now had to reach agreement on 5% of the range of the talks, though the most difficult issues. Several chapters, such as customs, competition and state aid, trade defence and rules have been closed. All the other chapters, including two key points - access to the Community sugar market and access to the Colombian motor car market - were entering their final stages. On this last point, the parties want full liberalisation of their respective markets but have yet to agree on the phasing of the removal of tariffs. They have, however, agreed to negotiate on all aspects of motor car trade, including non-tariff barriers and technical rules. In agriculture, there was full discussion on sensitive products, and compromises are being reached on other issues such as intellectual property protection, geographical indications, biodiversity and sustainable development. The chapters on industrial goods, rules of origin and services are also entering the home straight. Negotiators, due to meet again in November, spoke of their determination to reach an agreement “of mutual benefit” to both parties. A final agreement, which the Commission would like to see signed under Spanish Presidency in the first half of 2010, will, of course, depend on settling the banana issue. Schlegelmilch said that the two sides were “very close to finalising an agreement of this two decades old controversy”, having found a solution which includes tropical products and phasing out of tariff preferences. (E.H./transl.rt)