On the 19th APEC Ministerial Meeting

PRESS RELEASE

On the 19th APEC Ministerial Meeting

The 19th annual meeting of Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) foreign and trade ministers took place on September 5-6 in Sydney, Australia.

Russia’s Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, and Economic Development and Trade Minister German Gref took part in it.

The meeting discussed a broad range of global and regional issues, among them ensuring sustainable economic growth in the AP region, in particular, by greater economic integration; strengthening the multilateral trade system in the context of support for the WTO negotiation process; countering international terrorism and other challenges to security and stability in the region; combating corruption, and increasing economic transparency. Considerable emphasis was laid on the need for structural changes in the APEC economies, aimed at streamlining legislation and improving the competitive business environment. The ministers reaffirmed their disposition to carry out further steps for enhancing the forum’s effectiveness.

Meeting participants again expressed their support of Russia’s soonest accession to the WTO.

At the debate’s end, a Joint Statement of APEC Foreign and Trade Ministers was adopted (its full text is posted on the MFA web site).

The Ministerial Meeting was the concluding stage of preparations for the APEC Heads of State/Government Meeting scheduled in Sidney on September 8-9.

On September 6, a conversation between Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation Sergey Lavrov and New Zealand’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Winston Peters, took place in Sydney on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation forum.

The sides exchanged views on certain aspects of Russian-New Zealand bilateral relations and discussed a number of pressing international and regional issues, including the situation surrounding Iran’s nuclear program.

Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation Sergey Lavrov, in Sydney in connection with the participation of the President of the Russian Federation in the 15th Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit, met on September 6 with the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Vietnam, Pham Gia Khiem.

A constructive exchange of views took place on a broad spectrum of bilateral issues and topical problems in international development. The sides noted the identity of their positions on most international issues and expressed satisfaction at the positive dynamics in the Russian-Vietnamese political dialogue.

Mutual interest was voiced in strengthening the coordination of the two countries’ efforts as part of multilateral diplomacy.

On September 6, a meeting between Russian Minister of Foreign Affairs Sergey Lavrov and US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice took place in Sydney on the fringes of the APEC summit.

With focus on the realization of the decisions made at the highest level, the two discussed the most topical international issues, paying special attention to regional security and strategic stability. In addition, they touched on a number of bilateral cooperation themes.

The ministers noted the importance of building up efforts to find ways to solve pressing international problems and reaffirmed the two countries’ readiness to carry on joint work in this area.

Foreign Minister Lavrov: The APEC meetings involving foreign and economic ministers have concluded today. There were approved the draft documents for consideration during the APEC summit to be held here in Sydney in two days’ time. The documents concern a broad spectrum of cooperation in the Asia-Pacific Region. Special attention was given to economic integration and the promotion and adoption of free trade principles in practical activities in this region, which is the world’s economically fastest growing. As I’ve said, the recommendations are being submitted for the leaders’ approval.

Much attention was paid to combating terrorism, natural disasters and pandemic diseases. All of this comes under one heading Personal Security.

Russia has been playing an initiative role in examining these questions in APEC. We collaborate with many countries. At our initiative, in particular, it was agreed to most actively and substantively foster real-time cooperation on disaster prevention, preparedness and management. Our potential in this area is particularly called for.

I will single out the theme of the Doha Round of the World Trade Organization. The participants prepared a statement in favor of resolving the issues still outstanding as soon as possible. But so far many remain seriously concerned at the lack of progress. Hence the region’s countries show a growing interest in promoting free trade zones on a regional scale so as not to lose pace and to advance towards trade liberalization regardless of how the Doha Round ends.

Overall, APEC has reconfirmed its ability to rally the region’s countries for practical actions of interest to all its participants. The ministers’ meeting has borne out that the fundamental work principles of APEC – voluntary and consensus decision making – are fully relevant. It is on this basis that APEC will continue to reform and strengthen itself.

The ministers recommended that the presidents approve holding the APEC 2012 summit in the Russian Federation. As you know, Vladivostok has advanced its candidacy. It enjoys broad support.

Foreign Minister Lavrov: I think that speaking of the development prospects of Vladivostok and our Far Eastern Region as a whole, one has to bear in mind, first and foremost, our own interest, regardless of the forums which will be held in Russia for sure. Our interest is to develop this part of Russia at an accelerated pace. Just some time ago, the government approved the appropriate development program for our Far East and Transbaikalia. This program will envisage, regardless of, I repeat, what international or regional events are held there, a substantial boost to this region’s modernization and development. As to the APEC summit, it will, like any summit, help tackle even more efficiently the tasks in developing and turning Vladivostok into a truly far eastern capital of Russia.

Question: You met with your counterpart, Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, today. Was your meeting’s focus the APEC agenda or were bilateral themes touched on?

Foreign Minister Lavrov: Today’s meeting with Secretary Rice was wholly devoted to examining progress in carrying out the accords reached by our presidents during their latest meetings. Along with the bilateral agenda, this concerns major questions pertaining to strategic stability and the international situation. We discussed how the consultations are proceeding between the foreign and defense ministries’ experts on missile defense problems, and the situation surrounding the CFE Treaty after the moratorium which Russia was forced to impose on its implementation. We examined the questions of strategic and offensive arms along the lines of the president’s instructions to prepare a new agreement to replace the START 1 Treaty, which expires next year. Those were the key themes concerning strategic stability. We agreed to continue our concrete and professional discussion on each of them with an eye on finding mutually acceptable accords. As you know, Moscow will host in October the visit of Secretary Rice and the US Defense Secretary, who together with me and Russian Defense Minister Serdyukov will examine the relevant work on all these issues for subsequent reporting to the Russian and US presidents.

The conversation was useful. I think that, given the political will, and professional and trustful approach from both sides, we have reason to hope to reach agreement.