Evans still confident on free trade deadline
Evans still confident on free trade deadline
JAKARTA (JP): Australia remained optimistic that leaders of
the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum would adopt a
declaration for the implementation of trade liberalization by a
set deadline.
"I think there's a very good chance and I think the last few
days have enhanced that prospect," Australian Trade Minister Bob
McMullen said yesterday. "It will depend on what comes out of the
dynamic of the leader's meeting. But the prospects are good," he
added.
APEC Ministers ended their two-day meeting on Saturday without
any mention of a free trade timetable anywhere in their final
statement.
However Australian foreign minister Gareth Evans denied
suggestions that the ministers' omission of any mention of the
deadline signified a failure. "It was never the intention to move
forward on that front," he said.
APEC economic leaders will meet at Bogor Presidential Palace
tomorrow where the free trade deadline is expected to be the
central issue.
"We've simply been supportive of the general thrust that
President Soeharto wants an overall declaration of vision about
free trade in the region by an agreed date," McMullen said.
Reportedly President Soeharto has proposed that the leaders
adopt a deadline where comprehensive trade liberalization would
occur by the year 2020.
Thus far Malaysia has been the vocal opponent to any sort of
time frame for the process to occur and claims that there are
"several" members who share this sentiment.
During the ministerial meetings, Malaysian Minister for
International Trade and Industry Rafidah Aziz stated that
Malaysia would not support the stipulation of a deadline for
trade liberalization.
Nevertheless both Evans and McMullen remained confident that
Malaysia in the end would warm up to the idea.
"If you look carefully to what's been said...no conclusive
opposition has been stated on any one of the key issues," said
Evans.
McMullen further remarked that "at the end of the day it will
probably be a decision that is more consistent with the broad
macro economic policy of Malaysia."(mds)