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Indonesia:FTA negotiations on between ASEAN, Australia and N.Zealand |
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2004-9-7
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Australia, New Zealand and South East Asian Nations hope to conclude a free trade agreement (FTA) by 2007 after beginning formal negotiations next year, government ministers said on Sunday.
Economic and trade ministers from Australia, New Zealand and the 10-member Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) agreed to negotiating principles for an FTA during a meeting in Jakarta over the weekend.
The ministers'' recommendation that negotiations begin in 2005 and be concluded within two years would go to heads of government for formal approval in Laos in November, a joint statement by the 12 nations said.
It said an ASEAN, Australia, New Zealand summit would take place during the 10th ASEAN leaders meeting in Vientiane.
However, trade negotiation officials said that while the agreement to begin talks was an important step forward, talks would be tough.
"As well as tariff issues, there will be other things like quality issues," said a senior Australian negotiator who asked not to be identified.
He said the priority sectors included services, food and beverages, mining, energy and fuel, as well as the automotive industry, consumer items, textiles, medicines and paper. |
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