Vaile to Use APEC Meeting to Urge Progress in WTO

Trade Minister Mark Vaile will urge APEC trade ministers to unanimously support a timely and meaningful conclusion to the Doha Round of world trade negotiations when he meets with ministers in Korea this week.

Mr Vaile will also ask ministers to re-double efforts to achieve APEC's own trade liberalisation goals at the APEC Trade Ministers meeting on Jeju Island, 2-3 June.

"It is crucial that substantial progress is achieved in all five key areas of the Doha negotiations - agriculture, market access for industrial products, services, rules and trade facilitation, and development - before the Hong Kong meeting so we can conclude the Round in 2006," Mr Vaile said.

"A successful conclusion to the Doha Round will allow Australia and other APEC economies to lock in better access to global markets, and is fundamental to the future trade and economic growth prospects of the region's developing economies.

"I will also urge APEC members to conclude free-trade agreements that genuinely facilitate trade and investment within the APEC region and will launch a Guide to FTA Negotiations which provides trade negotiators from APEC economies with an overview of best practice in negotiating FTAs."

Mr Vaile will push for a clear roadmap for APEC's future trade and investment liberalisation and facilitation work as part of APEC's Mid-Term Stocktake of its Bogor Goals of free and open trade and investment in the Asia-Pacific Region by 2010 for developed economies and 2020 for developing economies.

"Rather than just reviewing APEC's considerable achievements to date in opening markets within the region, it is essential that the stocktake be forward-looking and provide impetus for continued economic growth in APEC," Mr Vaile said.

Mr Vaile will also meet with Korea's Trade Minister Kim Hyun Chong.

"At this meeting I will continue to promote the merits of Australian LNG and to press for improved access for Australian agricultural products to the Korean market," Mr Vaile said.

Contact: Mr Vaile's office 02 6277 7420 - DFAT Media Liaison 02 6261 1555