APEC chair`s statement supports inter-Korean rapprochement

The Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC), in its 8th annual summit on Thursday, adopted a declaration calling for, among other things, a launch of the New Round of the World Trade Organization (WTO) next year.

The APEC also decided to hold its 2005 general assembly in Seoul and expressed support for the development of inter-Korean relations. In addition, it adopted a chair`s statement supporting North Korea`s participation in a working-level task force in the capacity of an invitee.

In the statement, the APEC summit chairman, Brunei¡¯s Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah, praised President Kim Dae-Jung for his contribution to the process of inter-Korean reconciliation and cooperation following the June South-North summit. He also expressed support for President Kim`s efforts to encourage North Korea to take part in the APEC task force activities.

In the 37-point summit declaration, the APEC member states vowed to exert joint efforts to prevent financial crises and take appropriate measures to stabilize international oil prices.

The summit conferees also agreed to make joint endeavors to address the digital divide so that member states can benefit from globalization and the information revolution.

However, the participants failed to reach an agreement on concrete agenda in connection with the launching of the WTO New Round.

At the summit conference, President Kim proposed three tasks in his speech, including narrowing the digital divide and seven cooperative projects, and asked APEC members to induce Pyongyang to join the forum. He also called for the North`s admission into the APEC task force as an initial step.