Vietnam and Japan has concluded bilateral negotiations over the former's accession to the World Trade Organization (WTO), the afternoon Saigon Times Daily reported Tuesday.

Vietnam's Prime Minister Phan Van Khai and his Japanese counterpart Junichiro Koizumi Monday witnessed the signing of the agreement on the conclusion in Malaysian capital of Kuala Lumpur, when they met on the sidelines of the 11th ASEAN Summit.

On the same day, the two sides also agreed to hold preliminary talks on a bilateral free-trade agreement (FTA), which is expected to sign early next year, said the report.

Vietnam is expected to finish all bilateral talks for its WTO entry by early 2006 at the latest, according to the Trade Ministry.

Source: Xinhua