APEC forum backs free-trade goal ( 2003-10-22 01:27) (China Daily)
The 11th Asia-Pacific Economic Co-operation (APEC) Economic Leaders' Meeting
concluded Tuesday after passing the Bangkok Declaration on Partnership for the
Future.
The 21 APEC economic leaders indicated they would push for a multilateral
trading system and the completion of the World Trade Organization (WTO) Doha
Development Agenda.
The leaders reached a consensus that regional and bilateral free trade
agreements must be consistent with WTO principles, advance WTO objectives and
contribute to the Bogor Goals.
In 1994 in Bogor, Indonesia, APEC adopted the goals of free and open trade
and investment for developed economies by 2010 and for developing economies by
2020.
The economic representatives agreed to strengthen partnerships not only to
liberalize and facilitate regional trade and investment but also to protect
their citizens and societies against security threats.
The declaration also says that terrorism and the proliferation of weapons of
mass destruction are direct and profound challenges facing their vision for
free, open and prosperous economies.
It agrees to take all essential action to dismantle, fully and without delay,
transnational terrorist groups that threaten APEC economies.
At the meeting, Chinese President Hu Jintao said the international community
should try a three-pronged approach to tackle both the root causes and symptoms
of terrorism -- ease regional and international tensions, eliminate poverty and
enhance anti-terrorism co-operation.
Addressing another threat, the leaders decided to implement the APEC Action
Plan on SARS (severe acute respiratory syndrome) and a health security
initiative to help the bloc prevent and respond to regional health hazards
including naturally occurring infectious diseases and bio-terrorism.
They also committed themselves to empowering people and strengthening their
societies to meet the challenges of globalization and strive for sustainable
economic development.
The situation on the Korean Peninsula was discussed over lunch, with a
resolution formed to seek a peaceful outcome through dialogue.
APEC's members are committed to the maintenance of peace and stability on the
Korean Peninsula, support the continuation of the six-party talks and look
forward to a nuclear weapons-free peninsula, the declaration
said.