Media release
Wednesday 16 October 2002 - MVT126/2002
Building Stronger Alliances Within Cairns Group and APEC
Trade Minister Mark Vaile heads to Bolivia and Mexico tomorrow to
chair the 24th Ministerial Meeting of the Cairns Group
of agricultural fair trading nations in Santa Cruz (18-21 October)
and attend the 14th Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC)
Ministerial Meeting in Los Cabos (23-24 October).
"The Cairns Group and APEC meetings provide an excellent opportunity
to build stronger alliances with others working for a fair, market-orientated
trading system that will bring tangible benefits to Australia," Mr
Vaile said.
"In Bolivia, Cairns Group Ministers will send a strong message to
those World Trade Organisation members - particularly the European
Union and Japan - who continue to resist reform of their agricultural
markets.
"This meeting comes at a crucial time in the negotiations just three
months before WTO Agricultural Committee Chair, Mr Stuart Harbinson,
is due to release the guidelines for agricultural liberalisation in
the Doha Round.
"The guidelines will be crucial in determining the outcomes for the
Doha Round and will shape the direction of reform of world agricultural
protection and support over the next decade.
"Cairns Group Ministers will discuss how to win support for our ambitious
reform agenda, following the release last month of our strong proposals
for improving market access and reducing trade-distorting domestic
support in world agriculture.
"At the APEC Ministerial Meeting, I will be seeking committed support
for the WTO round. Liberalisation in the WTO is an important part
of delivering on APEC's vision of free trade and investment in the
Asia-Pacific.
"APEC Ministers will also discuss how to move forward with efforts
to reduce business costs for Australian and other businesses in the
region. Australia will promote initiatives on good governance, strong
economic legal infrastructure, and helping small business to access
export markets.
"APEC Ministers will also consider measures to deal with the threat
of terrorism in the region. Dealing effectively with this threat
is vital to encourage sustained economic growth in the region."
Mr Vaile returns to Australia on Sunday 27 October.
Media Contact: Mark Croxford +61 02 6277 7420
Local Date:
Friday, 05-Dec-2008 14:09:24 EST
