RP TO PUSH FOR ISSUES OF DEVELOPING NATIONS AT APEC; SETS GOALS

16 October 2003, Bangkok, Thailand – “The Philippines will continue to push for the positions of developing countries on the WTO Doha Development Agenda (DDA) at APEC,” Undersecretary Delia Domingo-Albert, representing Secretary Blas F. Ople at the 15^th APEC Ministerial Meeting here, said.

“It is of paramount importance to increase market access for Philippine goods and services, abolish all forms of agricultural export subsidies and dismantle trade barriers, particularly unjustifiable export prohibitions and restrictions.  Special and differentiated treatment of products of export interest to the Philippines continues to be a crucial issue for our international trade negotiators,” the Undersecretary added.

The 15^th APEC Ministerial Meeting is being held prior to the 11^th APEC Economic Leaders’ Meeting (AELM).

The Philippines has identified three goals to serve as a barometer to judge the success of the AELM.  These goals are (a) to gain support for developing countries’ positions on the WTO-DDA; (b) to strengthen global cooperation against terrorism through maritime security cooperation and other security measures; and (c) to reform the strategic agenda and structure of APEC.
 

On Maritime Security

Global cooperation against terrorism also remains high on the Philippine agenda.  In accordance with the President’s Statement on Counter-Terrorism made last year in Los Cabos, Mexico, the Philippines hosted the 1^st APEC High Level Meeting on Maritime Security Cooperation in Manila last 08-09 September 2003.

“The High Level Meeting stands as a major Philippine initiative and contribution to the concerted efforts under the ambit of APEC to secure a major artery of international trade, while enhancing our national efforts to enhance security within our maritime territories.  The Philippines will report to the 11^th AELM the successful outcomes of this counter-terrorism initiative and recommend specific follow-up actions to be undertaken,” Undersecretary Albert said.

The High Level Meeting highlighted the importance of cooperative partnership to address gaps in maritime security in the APEC region.  The Philippines will propose that APEC proceed with enhanced cooperation to address the following concerns:

·                    Readiness of developing member economies to comply with the International Maritime Organisation’s (IMO) deadline of 01 July 2004 for the implementation of the International Ship and Port Facility Security (ISPS) Code;

 ·                    Readiness of member economies to comply with the new US policy guidelines that maritime trade to the US must emanate from ports and ships that are ISPS-compliant also starting July 2004; and

 ·                    Inability of ports in the APEC region to implement these new international security requirements and acquire new security technologies under the STAR initiative as mandated by APEC Leaders.

On Reforms within the APEC

Undersecretary Albert reported that the Philippines will support a stocktaking process beginning 2004, to assess and reform the strategic agenda and structure of APEC.

Undersecretary Albert said that the intention is to streamline the organization and focus the agenda to render it more manageable and more responsive to the directives of the Leaders as they confront the challenges posed by the constantly shifting global political, economic and security environment.

“APEC is now 15 years old and the Philippines believes it is an opportune time to review the organization’s performance as a mechanism to enable liberalized and free trade in the region,” the Undersecretary pointed out.  END.