31.   NOL and APL officials expect to finalise the merger later this year following a review by US maritime and anti-trust authorities.

32.   NOL and APL officials expect to finalise the merger by the third quarter this year following a review by US maritime and anti-trust authorities.

33.   The deal is expected to close during the first quarter following government reviews.

34.   The foreign ministers will also talk over coffee with their visiting Afghan counterpart Abdullah Abdullah, following a review over lunch of developments in the Middle East.