QUITO, March 29 (Xinhuanet) -- Ecuador, Colombia and Peru are to hold joint negotiations on the Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with the United States in May, Ecuadorian Central Bank Governor Mauricio Yepez said.

    "The announcement of the US authorities tells us to be ready and that they want to negotiate as of May 18," Yepez was quoted byMonday's Expreso daily as saying.

    The chief Ecuadorian negotiator said the aim of the three country's launching of joint talks is to save logistic costs and time.

    Asked on a possible advantage for Colombia, which has been preparing for three years for the FTA negotiations, he said that "the advantages will be mirrored in the special considerations that the United States grants Colombia."

    "It is obvious that after an FTA is signed with the United States we must take the next step to negotiate with the European Union, and hopefully we will reach more bilateral accords," Yepez said. Enditem