BRUSSELS, Jan. 10 (Xinhua) -- European Union (EU) Trade Commissioner Peter Mandelson and Japanese Trade Minister Akira Amari on Wednesday expressed their joint commitment to an early and ambitious final agreement in the Doha world trade talks.

    The two leaders made the aspiration after their meeting in Brussels.

    According to a press release issued by Mandelson's office, Mandelson and Amari discussed recent developments in the Doha negotiation and agreed to step up their efforts to reach an early and ambitious agreement.

    "Both Europe and Japan recognize a narrow window of opportunity between now and Easter 2007 in which the Doha negotiation can be completed," said the press release.

    Speaking after the meeting, Mandelson said Europe and Japan "have agreed to join other WTO members in giving fresh impetus to the Doha negotiations."

    The meeting between Amari and Mandelson follows meetings in Washington on Monday between U.S. President George W. Bush and European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso as well as that between Mandelson and U.S. Trade Representative Susan Schwab. At these meetings both sides expressed a strong commitment to complete the Doha negotiation.

    Prior to his visit to Brussels, Amari paid a visit to Washington DC and met Susan Schwab on Tuesday.

    The Doha round was suspended in July 2006 after the world trade powers failed to reach consensus on the cut of farm subsidies. The EU vowed to re-launch the Doha round talks.