Portugal and Indonesia have ended their latest talks on the future of the disputed territory of East Timor without agreement, but will meet again next February.

The United Nations' special representative at the talks in New York, Jamsheed Marker, said the two sides have gone a long way towards agreeing on a process of autonomy for East Timor put forward by the UN.

East Timor which is a former Portugese colony, was invaded by Indonesian troops in 1975 and annexed a year later in a move that was never recognised by the UN.