Agro Perspectiva

APEC foreign and trade ministers meet in Vladivostok

05.09.2012 12:19 "Agro Perspectiva" (Kyiv) — Foreign and trade ministers of the 21-nation Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC ) forum have gathered in Vladivostok on Wednesday to discuss food security, measures required to ensure effective response to emergency situations, the Doha trade talks under the umbrella of the World Trade Organization (WTO), as well as projects to develop multilateral trading. Today’s meeting is the last in a series of talks preceding the 20th APEC summit on September 8–9, says Voice of Russia. During the two-day talks APEC foreign and trade ministers are going to sum up the results of the work already done in 2012 and discuss plans for the future. The delegates will also approve the text of the Declaration of leaders and adopt a joint ministerial statement. Russia’s Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov addressed his counterparts and APEC trade ministers: «This year the APEC agenda focused on integration, development and innovations. Russia suggested joining efforts to liberalize trade and investment cooperation, boost regional economic integration, develop transport and logistics schemes, ensure food security in the region and implement more innovative projects.» Speaking ahead of the meeting in Vladivostok, Mr. Lavrov said that for Russia its presidency over the APEC forum in 2012 has been fruitful. Over 90 events, including ten meetings between sectoral ministers, took place in Moscow, Yaroslavl, Kazan and Khabarovsk. This year has seen a record number of events held under the umbrella of the APEC forum. Sergei Lavrov continues: «The APEC delegates have demonstrated interest in implementing these projects and in making steps towards a deeper partnership. This has opened new horizons for further cooperation.» Speaking during a briefing Russia’s Minister of Economic Development and Trade Andrei Belousov said that while deciding on the agenda of the APEC forum Russia relied on the region’s fast-growing economy which appears to be a catalyst for positive changes in other countries. The Asia-Pacific region is not a centre of growth but also a place which boosts consumption, the minister said calling on all the sides to work out a consolidated approach towards regional economic development. The APEC forum was established in 1989 and comprises 21 countries. Russia joined APEC in 1998. APEC member countries account for 49% of the world’s population and for 55% of the global GDP. The APEC members account for 47% of the world`s goods and services trade and 44.5% of the total accumulated direct investments. This year Russia debuts as the host of the APEC forum.