ASEAN-Australia-New Zealand FTA to be Reviewed at Meeting in Laos

Progress of the Free Trade Agreement (FTA) negotiations between Australia, New Zealand and the ASEAN countries will be reviewed when Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Trade, Mark Vaile attends the 10th annual ASEAN Economic Ministers - Closer Economic Relations (AEM-CER) meeting in Laos this week.

The annual AEM-CER consultation brings together ministers from the 10 ASEAN countries with the Trade Ministers of Australia and New Zealand (the parties to the CER Agreement).

"Ministers will examine the development of the FTA negotiations between Australia, New Zealand and the ASEAN countries launched by leaders in November last year," Mr Vaile said.

"ASEAN is Australia’s fastest growing two-way trading partner after China and a major market for our services exports.

"The meeting will also review work under the ASEAN Free Trade Area (AFTA) -CER Closer Economic Partnership (CEP) which aims to deepen the level of economic integration between Australia and New Zealand and the ASEAN countries through improved trade facilitation and capacity building."

Mr Vaile said he would take the opportunity during the meeting to urge ministers to focus their energies on achieving progress in the Doha round of global trade negotiations in the lead-up to the World Trade Organization Ministerial Conference in Hong Kong in December.

"We must redouble our efforts in order to achieve a successful conclusion to this Round which will result in a fairer and more open global trade environment for all," Mr Vaile said.

During his visit, Mr Vaile will meet with Lao Prime Minister, Mr Bounnhang Vorachit, Deputy Prime Minister, Mr Thongloun Sisoulith and the Minister of Commerce, Mr Soulivong Daravong.

"These meetings will highlight the growing significance of the Australia - Laos relationship and the contribution Australian investment, particularly in the mining sector, is making to Laos’s development," Mr Vaile said.

"I will discuss a range of bilateral and regional trade and investment issues, Australia’s significant aid program in Laos and concern about the risks for the region of avian influenza."

Mr Vaile, together with Deputy Prime Minister Thongloun Sisoulith, will participate in the International Conference on Mining Excellence on 29 September.

Contacts: Richard Forbes (Mr Vaile's Office) 02 6277 7420, Matt Anderson (Departmental) 02 6261 1555