Canada, Mexico and the U.S. decided against holding a news conference at the end of the round to answer questions on specific issues involved in the talks. | Getty NAFTA partners vow to press accelerated timetable to reach deal

The United States, Canada and Mexico are determined to reach an agreement as soon as possible in talks on renegotiating the North American Free Trade Agreement, the three countries said in a joint statement as the first round of talks ended Sunday.

"While a great deal of effort and negotiation will be required in the coming months, Canada, Mexico and the United States are committed to an accelerated and comprehensive negotiation process that will upgrade our agreement and establish 21st century standards to the benefit of our citizens," the statement said.


"Negotiators from each country will continue domestic consultations and work to advance negotiating text through the end of August, and will reconvene in Mexico for a second round of talks from September 1-5," the statement continued.

"Negotiations will continue at this rapid pace, moving to Canada in late September and returning to the United States in October, with additional rounds being planned for the remainder of the year," the statement said.

The three countries decided against holding a news conference at the end of the round to answer questions on specific issues involved in the talks. They also stuck to generalities in the statement, saying that more than two dozen negotiation topics were covered over the five days of talks.

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The U.S., Mexico and Canada made "detailed conceptual presentations" across the scope of the agreement, and negotiating groups began work to advance text. They also agreed to provide additional text, comments or alternate proposals during the next two weeks, the statement said.

The scope and volume of proposals reflect the three countries' commitment to an ambitious outcome and also "reaffirms the importance of updating the rules governing the world's largest free trade area," the statement said.



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