TOKYO, Jan. 23 (Xinhua) -- Talks between the Tokyo Stock Exchange (TSE) and the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) to strike a basic agreement for their alliance have reached the final stage, TSE President Taizo Nishimuro told reporters on Tuesday.

    The two bourses are expected to announce their basic agreement for the alliance on Jan. 31, Nishimuro said.

    "We want to tie up in areas as broad as possible," Kyodo News quoted Nishimuro as addressing a press conference.

    Nishimuro stressed that the basic agreement is only the first step of business tie-ups between the world's two largest stock exchanges.

    The TSE disclosed its plan of tie-up with the NYSE last October and has admitted it was also in talks with the London Stock Exchange and Deutsche Boerse for business cooperation. ¡¡