2007年VOA标准英语-APEC Ministers Discuss Trade Negotiations, Clim

Trade and foreign ministers from the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation forum¹ say stalled international trade negotiations², climate change and global security should top the agenda when APEC leaders hold their summit talks on Saturday and Sunday. VOA's Nancy-Amelia Collins reports from Sydney, where the meetings will be held.

Australian Trade Minister Warren Truss, second from left speaks at a media questions and answers session, 06 Sep 2007

Australian Trade Minister Warren Truss says stalled World Trade Organization negotiations, known as the Doha Round of talks, was the most thoroughly³ discussed topic during the ministers' meeting.

"Perhaps the most extensive debate that occurred at the ministerial meeting surrounded the Doha agenda and the need to reach a satisfactory conclusion to the multilateral trade talks as quickly as possible," he said. "All delegates were clearly seized with the urgency of doing whatever we can to bring the Doha negotiations to a successful conclusion."

The WTO talks have stalled over disagreements between developed and developing nations over agricultural subsidies⁴ and access for imported goods.

Australian Foreign Minister Alexander Downer says participants agreed that global warming should be a high priority when the heads of state and government from APEC's 21 economies formally convene⁵ here Saturday and Sunday.

"Ministers have welcomed the decision to make climate change and clean development a key focus for the leaders' discussion," he said.

Downer says security issues and counter-terrorism were also key points of the ministers' discussions.

"We also endorsed⁶ a strong counter-terrorism program, including ways to counter terrorist financing and to protect our food supply, IT systems, energy infrastructure⁷ and mass transit⁸ from terrorist attacks," he added.

The ministers' recommendations will be forwarded to the government leaders who have been arriving here over the past several days.