Russia To Discuss Trade Liberalisation At APEC Forum

KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 30 (Bernama) -- Russia's recent inclusion in the World Trade Organisation (WTO) will enable the country to discuss trade liberalisation measures at the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum expected in September. The country would chair the forum themed, "Integrate to Grow, Innovate to Prosper" and also host the APEC Leader's Week in Vladivostok, Russia. Following the successful conclusion of the WTO accession process, the country was now ready to start talks on free trade agreements with APEC economies, said the Russian Embassy on Monday. "This could pave the way for a fundamentally new form of APEC integration and expand the Asia-Pacific market to the entire Eurasian continent," it said in a statement. Meanwhile, as for the forum, the country planned to ensure continuity in APEC's work and try to expand the traditional agenda in a constructive manner. "Russia's key objective was to further liberalise trade and investment and, facilitate economic integration in the Asia-Pacific region. "A consolidated position among APEC member economies should jumpstart multilateral trade talks and make them more constructive," the statement said. Russia also planned to promote APEC cooperation on food security. "Like all other member economies, we have a stake in ensuring that food is available, affordable, safe and of high quality," said the statement. Other topics that will be discussed at the forum would include the need to improve logistics to ensure supply chain connectivity in the region and promoting extensive interaction among universities, research centres and companies to facilitate innovation-based economic development for stable economic growth. The country would also promote further constructive discussions on energy security issues, green growth and efforts to better prepare member economies for possible natural disasters and other emergencies. Russia will also focus on cooperation in the fight against terrorism and transnational crime, it added. -- BERNAMA