Silence on Pacific Rim ministers’ talks ahead of APEC summit
DANANG, Vietnam — Foreign and trade ministers of 21 Pacific Rim economies meeting in Danang, Vietnam, appeared to be struggling for a consensus on open markets and other strategic issues ahead of a regional summit, as their hosts appealed for co-operation.
A news conference planned for late Wednesday was cancelled as the talks dragged on, and APEC officials said they would continue on Thursday. The ministers were due to endorse a draft of a statement their leaders in the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation forum usually issue at the end of the annual summit.
The Vietnamese hosts urged those involved to work toward a compromise.
“I hope that we will seize this last opportunity before our leaders’ meeting to show flexibility and willingness needed to bridge the remaining gaps so that we can come out with a meaningful package for regional economic integration,” said Vietnamese Minister of Industry and Trade Tran Tuan Anh.