Political leaders have reached a tentative agreement to hold a preparatory conference next month.政治领导人已就下个月举行预备会议达成初步协定。Democrats/Republicans caucused last week to choose their candidates.民主党/共和党上周召开了党内预备会议推选候选人。Differences over these issues narrowed during the preparatory meetings/talks.在预备会议／会谈中，这些问题上的分歧缩小了。