Resolve negotiations in Doha: APEC
APEC leaders have issued an urgent call to all countries involved in the Doha round of trade talks to find a way to resolve the negotiations.
By PTI |
MELBOURNE: APEC leaders have issued an urgent call to all countries involved in the Doha round of trade talks to find a way to resolve the negotiations.
After a two-day summit in Sydney, 21 world leaders from the Asia Pacific region have issued a communique strongly supporting the Doha round.
"'(We have made) an urgent request to all countries involved in the Doha process to renew their efforts to achieve an outcome emphasising that agriculture and industrial products are the two priority areas," 'The Australian' quoted Prime Minister John Howard as saying.
APEC leaders have decided to keep a cap on their membership for at least another three years.
Japanese foreign ministry spokesman Mitsuo Sakaba said leaders were undecided between a three year and five year extension of a moratorium preventing new members joining the group.
But Australia, as host, had indicated three was the timeframe agreed by a majority of members.
The decision means India, the most high profile nation seeking membership, will have to wait until at least 2010, when Japan hosts the meeting, to see if it can join the Asia Pacific club.
Howard, whose hosting of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit has been overshadowed by speculation about his leadership, gave a strong hint that he has no plans to retire soon.
"I thank my fellow leaders, I wish them a safe return to their countries, and I look forward to seeing them at future meetings," he said.
APEC will be held next year in Peru, then in Singapore, Japan, the United States and Russia in 2012.
After a two-day summit in Sydney, 21 world leaders from the Asia Pacific region have issued a communique strongly supporting the Doha round.
"'(We have made) an urgent request to all countries involved in the Doha process to renew their efforts to achieve an outcome emphasising that agriculture and industrial products are the two priority areas," 'The Australian' quoted Prime Minister John Howard as saying.
APEC leaders have decided to keep a cap on their membership for at least another three years.
Japanese foreign ministry spokesman Mitsuo Sakaba said leaders were undecided between a three year and five year extension of a moratorium preventing new members joining the group.
But Australia, as host, had indicated three was the timeframe agreed by a majority of members.
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The decision means India, the most high profile nation seeking membership, will have to wait until at least 2010, when Japan hosts the meeting, to see if it can join the Asia Pacific club.
Howard, whose hosting of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit has been overshadowed by speculation about his leadership, gave a strong hint that he has no plans to retire soon.
"I thank my fellow leaders, I wish them a safe return to their countries, and I look forward to seeing them at future meetings," he said.
APEC will be held next year in Peru, then in Singapore, Japan, the United States and Russia in 2012.
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