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MANILA, Sept. 10-- Economic ministers from countries of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) met on Sunday to move forward their talks to establish the proposed regional trade pact. Philippine Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez said in a statement that the ministers are "hard at work to resolve the key outstanding issues" that are slowing down the negotiations and seek options that provide flexibilities to move the RCEP talks forward. "The ministers will finalize the RCEP key elements for significant outcomes by end 2017, which clearly outlines the negotiating areas viewed as realistically achievable by end of the year," Lopez said. At the opening of the ASEAN Economic Ministers' (AEM) meeting on Thursday, Lopez urged the 10 member states of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and the bloc's dialogue partners to expedite talks on the RCEP, saying the proposed pact will "tremendously" benefit Southeast Asia. Lopez said "the substantial conclusion" of the RCEP negotiations remains high on ASEAN's overall economic agenda. "It is a priority deliverable for the Philippines' chairmanship of ASEAN 2017 and in time for the 50th anniversary of ASEAN," he said. Lopez stressed the need to finalize the key elements before the 20th RCEP Trade Negotiating Committee (TNC) negotiations in South Korea next month as well as the ASEAN Leaders' meeting in Manila in November. Philippine Trade Undersecretary Ceferino Rodolfo said Sunday's RCEP talks is significant. | 
