Foreign Minister Nitya Pibulsonggram has told Japanese counterpart Taro Aso the two countries could sign their pending bilateral free-trade agreement by "early spring", according to spokesman Kitti Wasinondh.

Nitya met Aso on Friday evening on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation forum here.

The military-backed government will forward the agreement to the National Legislative Assembly for approval, Kitti reported.

Following NLA approval the long-awaited FTA can be signed.

The bilateral FTA was supposed to be signed in April this year but was delayed by political problems that emerged in February.

Kitti said Nitya told Aso the interim government expected a result from the assembly by early spring of next year, which would mean a delay of about a year.

During the meeting Nitya explained the current political situation in Thailand and the government's commitment to return to full democracy at the earliest opportunity. Foreign Minister Aso acknowledged the matter was an internal one.

Both sides discussed activities to celebrate the 120th Anniversary of diplomatic relations between Thailand and Japan next year. Each country has a steering committee headed by permanent secretaries for Foreign Affairs.

Nitya invited Aso to attend next month's opening of the second Friendship Bridge connecting the northeastern province of Mukdahan and Savannakhet in Laos. Aso said he would send his deputy.

Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn will preside together with the participation of dignitaries from Laos and Vietnam.

Thailand proposed a "joint consultative mechanism" at foreign-ministerial level as a channel to foster closer bilateral relations. Aso was keen on the idea and said he would consider it.

Jeerawat Na Thalang

The Nation

HANOI