Asia-Pacific negotiators meet in Australia for free trade talks

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Trade Minister Simon Crean says any deal will complement the Doha Round talks. [ABC]

Last Updated: Mon, 15 Mar 2010 16:06:00 +1100

The first negotiating round towards a free trade area across the Asia-Pacific begins in Melbourne today.

Representatives from seven countries are due to meet over four days.

The Trans-Pacific Partnership has so far attracted Australia, New Zealand and the United States, as well as Singapore, Chile, Brunei, Peru and Vietnam.

It's the first of a scheduled four rounds a year, with talks to focus on obstacles businesses face in the region, particularly in services, e-commerce and green technology.

Australia's Trade minister Simon Crean says any eventual deal would be complementary to the World Trade Organisation's troubled Doha Round talks.

"Now I don't want it to be taken that we're going in this direction because we've given up on Doha. I certainly haven't given up on Doha. Doha in many ways still holds the best and the quickest approach to trade liberalisation in the short term if we can find the political will."