Transcript of interview with Jemima Garrett on Radio Australia, the Pacific Beat program, at the end of the Pacific Island Forum Trade Ministers meeting in Micronesia
Main topic: PACER Plus negotiations
Transcript, E&OE
30 April 2010
PRESENTER: Australia's Trade Minister, Simon Crean, says he's very encouraged by the way ministers got down to their task [reference to PACER Plus negotiations]
SIMON CREAN: We've had not just constructive discussion, but I think we've had some honest discussions as well. And so, in that spirit, I'm looking forward to progress continuing to be made. And I'm very happy that we've got not just a work program but a timetable for meetings going forward.
PRESENTER: That timetable will see Trade Ministers meet again ... in Tonga, and officials hold an additional meeting before the end of this year. At the same time Mr Crean says it's important to be patient.
SIMON CREAN: There are still issues and concerns about the pace at which this might be moving. I think we've got to be honest about that. But overwhelmingly, there is a desire to - not just a desire, there's a realisation that these nations, many of them are on the cusp of securing economic sustainability. And for it to really happen, there's got to be an engagement with global trade, because trade gives many more opportunities for their product and their services.
So the desire is there, the political will, if you like, is there to try and conclude this. It's just that there's a - there's an uncertainty by a number of countries as to what it involves.
PRESENTER: Australia's Trade Minister, Simon Crean.
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