SINGAPORE - Southeast Asian nations have concluded talks with Australia and New Zealand on a comprehensive free trade deal, they said in a statement Thursday.

The announcement came during annual talks by economic ministers of the 10-member Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). "The ministers welcomed the conclusion of the negotiations between ASEAN, Australia and New Zealand" for the free trade agreements, a joint statement said.

The comprehensive agreement covered trade in goods and services, investment, financial services, telecoms, electronic commerce, movement of natural persons, intellectual property, competition policy and economic co-operation, it said.

Talks began in March 2005, with ASEAN, Australia and New Zealand hoping to sign the deal in December. - AFP/vm