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.