APEC Forum Opens

The eight-day 2005 APEC forum kicked off Saturday with the launch of its two-day Concluding Senior Officials’ Meeting (CSOM).

During the CSOM held at BEXCO, Busan, some 100 officials from 21 APEC member states discussed agendas for the summit which will take place on November 18-19.

At the meeting chaired by Korean Ambassador Kim Jong-hoon, who chairs all APEC Senior Officials Meetings (SOMs), a consensus was reached in sending a powerful political message on trade liberalization progress through the APEC forum.

Officials also agreed that preventive measures for avian influenza will be at the center of the forum, and to strengthen anti-terrorism cooperation.

Leaders from 21 countries are expected to adopt the “Busan Declaration,” containing final results from summits held on November 18 and 19, the “DDA special statement” on advancement of free trade, and the “Busan Roadmap” on free trade expansion measures within the region.

Meanwhile, President Roh will carry out “summit diplomacy” by holding bilateral talks with leaders of 10 countries, including the U.S., Japan, China, and Russia during the regional forum.

President Roh will discuss North Korean nuclear issue and peace on the Korean peninsula with Chinese president Hu Jintao on November 16, U.S. President George W. Bush on November 17, the Japanese prime minister on November 18, and Russian President Vladimir Putin on November 19.

Jong-Koo Yoon jkmas@donga.com