Media releases
Tuesday, 10 December 2002 - MVT159/2002
US Firms Appointed to Assist with USFTA Negotiations
Two Washington-based firms have been appointed to assist the Australian
Government in preparing for the start of negotiations with the United
States as part of the Free Trade Agreement, Trade Minister Mark Vaile
announced today.
"The firms will work with the Australian Government to build the
foundations for achieving a substantial outcome from the negotiations," Mr
Vaile said.
"The Bergner, Bockorney, Castagnetti, Hawkins and Brain firm, and
Mayer, Brown, Rowe and Maw firm specialise in government relations
and international trade law. They have a good knowledge of US agriculture
and high credibility within the US agricultural community.
"Their appointment demonstrates the importance the Government attaches
to achieving a strong outcome on agriculture in the negotiations
and reflects the unprecedented opportunity the FTA negotiations provide
to strengthen Australian and US cooperation in the pursuit of global
reform of agriculture in the World Trade Organisation negotiations.
"Australia and the US have a strong and long-standing history of
cooperation in agriculture liberalisation - a point recognised by
US Trade Representative Bob Zoellick in his letter to Congress advising
of the Administration's intention to negotiate an FTA with Australia.
"We will negotiate hard for a comprehensive and liberalising outcome
on agriculture but the FTA also provides the opportunity to build
further on the strategic alliances and strong common interests we
have in the broader multilateral negotiations."
Tenders were called in Washington and competitive submissions were
received from five US-based firms. The process of selecting the
successful bids accorded fully with Australian Government Procurement
Guidelines.
Media Contact: Robyn Bain +61 02 6277 7420
Local Date:
Friday, 05-Dec-2008 13:28:41 EST
