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(COMTEX) B: APEC to push free trade as way to fight terrorism
B: APEC to push free trade as way to fight terrorism
SHANGHAI, Oct 18, 2001 (Kyodo via COMTEX) -- Cabinet ministers from 21 Pacific Rim economies ended a two-day meeting Thursday in Shanghai with a "strong commitment" to foster trade beralization, to prevent the world economy from deteriorating in the wake of terrorist attacks last month in the United States.
The foreign and trade ministers of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC)forum members called in a statement for the launch this year of a new trade liberalization round at the World Trade Organization (WTO), a repetition of last year's commitment but with added emphasis in light of the global economic slowdown.
The ministers "reaffirmed the strong commitment to launch the WTO new round of multilateral trade negotiations in 2001," the joint statement said, adding that they "agreed on the critical importance and urgency of successfully launching the round."
The statement dropped the venue of the next WTO ministerial meeting in an apparent reflection of ongoing discussions over whether to relocate it from Doha, Qatar.
The ministers called for a "balanced and sufficiently broad-based agenda to launch the new round, which should...reflect the interests and concerns of all members, especially those of the developing ones."
The ministers said they "reaffirmed that APEC would actively and constructively contribute to the mandated WTO negotiations on agriculture and services."
In a joint press conference, Chinese Foreign Minister Tang Jiaxuan, who chaired the two-day discussions, said the meeting was successful.
"Confronting economic slowdown and repercussions of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, the ministers have unanimously expressed confidence in economic prospects in the Asia-Pacific," Tang said.
The statement was also upbeat about "the medium and long-term prospects of growth in the APEC region," while admitting the terrorist attacks in the U.S."risk undermining some industries as well as consumer confidence."
The ministers endorsed a revised Osaka Action Agenda, which was devised in 1995, the Japan-led initiative to enhance the review process of individual action plans and other measures aimed at beefing up the regional forum's own trade and investment liberalization drive.
Some of these measures will culminate in a "Shanghai Accord" to be adopted by the leaders at their summit over the weekend.
Under a leaders' declaration adopted in 1994 in Bogor, Indonesia, the regional forum is committed to freeing up trade and investment by 2010 for developed members and 2020 for developing ones.
They also approved various low-key but progressive programs for economic and technical cooperation, including human resource development initiatives and what the statement calls a "long-term, forward-looking and action-oriented" e-APEC
Strategy.
From Japan, Economy, Trade and Industry Minister Takeo Hiranuma attended the meeting while Foreign Minister Makiko Tanaka skipped the meeting due to a Diet decision that she take part in ongoing parliamentary deliberations on an antiterrorism bill. Senior Vice Foreign Minister Shigeo Uetake took her place.
Meanwhile, foreign ministers from 19 of the 21 members -- Hong Kong and Taiwan were excluded -- confirmed in a brief meeting over breakfast the same day their commitment to combat terrorist acts through joint efforts by the international
community.
They emphasized the importance of APEC leaders discussing the matter further when they meet in the Chinese city over the weekend and issue a joint statement condemning terrorism.
The weeklong series of meetings, begun Monday by senior officials, will climax with a gathering of APEC leaders this weekend, the first major international summit since Sept. 11.
U.S. President George W. Bush arrived in Shanghai on Thursday evening to attend a summit of the APEC forum hosted by Chinese President Jiang Zemin, making his first overseas trip since the attacks.
The APEC leaders would commit in their counterterrorism statement to enhancing financial measures to prevent the flow of funds to terrorists, as well as transportation, energy and border security.
It will be the first political declaration in the 13-year history of the regional grouping.
APEC's members are Australia, Brunei, Canada, Chile, China, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, the Philippines, Peru, Russia, Singapore, South Korea, Taiwan, Thailand, the U.S. and Vietnam.
APEC claims to account for 57% of the world economy.
(EDS: ADDING 4TH PARA)
By Natsumi Mizumoto
2001 Kyodo News (c) Established 1945
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KEYWORD: SHANGHAI
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