Two days of face-to-face meetings between Canada's trade minister and his EU counterpart, ending late Thursday, failed to break a deadlock on the last stumbling blocks to reaching a free trade pact. "Progress was made in several of the areas that remain outstanding. However, further important work remains to be done, and the process of negotiations is continuing," a spokesman for Canadian Trade Minister Ed Fast said Friday.

(Adds details, background) By David Ljunggren OTTAWA, Feb 8 (Reuters) - Canada and the European Union failed to settle their differences on a proposed free trade deal this week at top-level talks to hammer out an agreement that is already well behind schedule. Canadian Trade Minister Ed Fast and EU Trade Commissioner Karel De Gucht spent Wednesday and Thursday in Ottawa discussing contentious issues including agricultural exports, intellectual property and public procurement.

* Summit statement signals political will to try for U.S. pact * U.S. says EU leaders' support builds confidence towards an accord * EU-U.S. deal would encompass one-third of global trade * EU trade chief sees "difficult negotiations" By Robin Emmott and Andreas Rinke

* Talks set to drag well beyond end-2012 target date * Canada, EU still have important differences * EU also eyeing possible treaty with United States (Adds reaction, background) By David Ljunggren OTTAWA, Feb 4 (Reuters) - Canada and the European Union will not be able to conclude a long-delayed free-trade deal at ministerial talks set for Ottawa this week, a source close to the negotiations told Reuters on Monday.