Japan, RP talk on APEC membership

Japan, RP talk on APEC membership

TOKYO (AFP): Japan's Prime Minister Ryutaro Hashimoto and
Philippine President Fidel Ramos acknowledged yesterday growing
support for extending a three-year ban on APEC accepting new
members, Jiji Press said.

"An increasing number of members support plans to continue the
moratorium on new membership," Hashimoto was quoted as saying
during a meeting with Ramos.

The Philippine president, who is hosting this year's summit of
leaders from the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum,
agreed with Hashimoto, government officials reportedly said.

A Japanese foreign ministry official confirmed that the two
leaders discussed the issue of APEC membership but refused to
elaborate.

The moratorium expires at the end of this year, three years
after APEC ministers agreed to let Mexico and Papua New Guinea
join the group at their annual meeting in Seattle in 1993
followed by Chile a year later.

Since then, however, Vietnam has joined the Association of
Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) which plays a central role in
APEC activities.

Members of ASEAN, which also includes Brunei, Indonesia,
Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore and Thailand, chair the 18-
member group every other year.

While several other countries ranging from India to Russia
have sought APEC membership, Vietnam is widely considered by
regional diplomats as a special case, although some doubt its
ability to fully participate in APEC activities.

Ramos meanwhile called on Japan to play a "greater" role in
maintaining security in Asia during his meeting with Hashimoto,
officials said.

The Philippine president also supported Japan's bid for a
permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council, saying it
would enable Japan to fulfill its wider responsibilities.

The two leaders also agreed to urge China to join the World
Trade Organization (WTO) as soon as possible, officials said.

APEC comprises Australia, Brunei, Canada, Chile, China, Hong
Kong, Indonesia, Japan, South Korea, Malaysia, Mexico, New
Zealand, Papua New Guinea, the Philippines, Singapore, Taiwan,
Thailand and the United States.