MEDIA RELEASE THE AUSTRALIAN DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER AND MINISTER FOR TRADE TIM FISCHER

APEC TRADE MINISTERS MEETING

Due to the timing of the Federal Budget, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Trade, Tim Fischer said he would be unable to attend the forthcoming meeting of APEC Trade Ministers in Montreal in May.

Minister for Foreign Affairs, Alexander Downer will be attending in Mr Fischer's place.

"I have spoken to the Canadian Trade Minister, Mr Eggleton to express my regrets at being unable to attend the meeting because my duties as Deputy Prime Minister and Leader of the National Party prevent me leaving Australia so close to the Budget," Mr Fischer said.

"I also underlined the importance of the APEC process to Australia and our commitment to the APEC objectives, and advised that Minister Downer would attend in my place.

"The Canadian Government fully understood and said they welcomed the attendancte of another senior Minister of the Howard Government."

Mr Fischer added that the key objectives for Australia at the APEC meeting would be to underscore the importance of pressing ahead with APEC's trade liberalising agenda this year; to identify practical benefits to business which could be secured from the trade facilitation work program; and to explore the scope for APEC and the World Trade Organisation to mutually support the strengthening of the global trading system.

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