BRUSSELS -- The EU, in a deadlock on talks with the bloc of Andean nations, will now negotiate free trade agreements with Colombia and Peru, External Relations Commissioner Benita Ferreror-Waldner announced.

Free-trade talks between the EU and the Andean nations were supposed to be concluded in early 2009, but the more socialist governments of Bolivia and Ecuador have been reluctant to move forward in the negotiations.

"It has not been possible to find consensus with some of the Andean countries on the way to continue to negotiate," said Ferrero-Waldner. Speaking after talks with the foreign ministers of Colombia and Peru. "I deplore this given that the commission has made great efforts."

Ecuador, which presides over the Andean Community bloc, cancelled a key meeting aimed at trying to rescue negotiations with the EU on an association agreement which began last year and include a free-trade pact.

Colombian and Peruvian leaders remain eager to seal a trade pact. "Colombia and Peru have repeatedly shown their willingness to make progress in trade negotiations with the European Union. I think we should continue down this track," Ferrero-Waldner said.

Bolivia responded angrily to the European Union's decision.  "I want to publicly demand that the European Union respect the internal agreements for bloc-to-bloc negotiations," Bolivian President Evo Morales told a news conference.

Colombia and Peru's governments have strongly advocated economic liberalization, whereas Bolivia and Ecuador's socialist governments have opposed many free-market measures.