The agreement was reached at the 18^th APEC Ministerial Meeting (AMM) which opened in Hanoi on November 15 under the chairmanship of Vietnam's Deputy Prime Minister Pham Gia Khiem and Minister of Trade Truong Dinh Tuyen.

In this regard, ministers reached a broad consensus on the draft of a stand-alone statement on DDA that they will propose to leaders for approval later this week.

The AMM endorsed model measures for Regional Trading Arrangements and Free Trade Agreements (RTAs/FTAs) on trade-in-goods, technical barriers to trade, transparency, government procurement, and cooperation. Ministers also agreed to instruct senior officials to further discuss measures for endorsement soon.

Delegates had a lively discussion on the idea of a free trade area for the Asia-Pacific (FTAAP) and agreed to instruct senior officials to study this matter as a long-term task.

Ministers unanimously approved the Hanoi Action Plan to implement the Busan Roadmap adopted by APEC Leaders last year. The action plan is an important vehicle to push for effective realisation of the 1994 Bogor goals of free and open trade and investment.

Delegates also stressed the importance of the business community and stated their support for business interests in APEC activities.

The meeting endorsed the list of 2006 counter-terrorism deliverables submitted by senior officials and reiterated APEC's determination to fight terrorism to achieve peace, stability and a secure business environment in the region and the world.

Ministers also endorsed the report on APEC reform, agreeing that this is an important achievement this year which will help increase the forum's relevance, practicality and effectiveness.

VNA