Vaile to Attend APEC Ministerial Meeting

Trade Minister Mark Vaile will push for APEC to provide ambition and greater clarity to the July World Trade Organisation General Council decision when he attends the APEC Joint Ministerial Meeting in Santiago, Chile, 17-18 November.

The July WTO General Council decision provided a framework to guide the final phase of the Doha Development Round of world trade negotiations including commitment to eliminate agricultural export subsidies, and an approach to cut tariffs and open markets in all areas of trade.

"This will be the first occasion for APEC Ministers to meet following the important WTO General Council decision and offers a valuable opportunity to commit to an expeditious completion of the Doha Round in the lead-up to the Hong Kong Ministerial Conference in December 2005," Mr Vaile said.

"A successful Doha Round is vital to Australia's continuing growth and stands to benefit the entire APEC region. The task in all areas – agriculture, services and industrial market access, is still massive. APEC's outward looking economies can make a crucial difference.

"I will also discuss with my colleagues what further steps APEC can take to develop free trade agreement policies. I know that business in particular expects APEC to address FTA implications for them."

Ministers will discuss a range of issues of significance in the APEC region including, structural reform, corporate governance, anti-corruption, terrorism and secure trade.

Mr Vaile will take the opportunity to meet a number of counterparts, including United States Trade Representative Bob Zoellick, Indonesia's newly appointed Minister for Trade, Ms Mari Pangestu and China's Commerce Minister, Mr Bo Xilai, to discuss the Australia-China Free Trade Agreement Joint Feasibility Study.

Mr Vaile will also participate in the APEC CEO Summit and discuss further opportunities for Australia's LNG exports with his North Asian counterparts.

Contact: Matthew Doman 02 6277 7420 - DFAT Media Liaison 6261 1555