ASEAN-Australia-New Zealand FTA
Subscriber Update
Update 20 – May 2008
Informal AEM-CER Consultations
Progress in the ASEAN-Australia-New Zealand Free Trade Agreement (AANZFTA) negotiations was reviewed by Ministers from ASEAN countries, Australia and New Zealand at an informal ASEAN Economic Ministers-Closer Economic Relations (AEM-CER) consultations held in Bali on 3 May 2008. Australia was represented at the meeting by the Minister for Trade, The Hon. Simon Crean MP.
The AEM-CER delivered a strong message on wanting to conclude the AANZFTA negotiations at their next meeting in August in Singapore. Ministers recognised the progress made in recent rounds with only a handful of issues now requiring resolution and provided guidance on these issues. They did not identify any issue as being beyond resolution.
Mr Crean welcomed the strong commitment expressed by ASEAN Ministers to conclude AANZFTA in August. Mr Crean acknowledged the challenge of negotiations involving a group of diverse countries at different levels of development, but considered it important that the negotiations deliver commercially meaningful improvements in market access for goods, services and investment.
AANZFTA negotiations are in their final phase, with the text of the Agreement close to finalisation. The next round of negotiations will be held in Hanoi from 2 – 8 June 2008.
Additional Information
Media Release: Trade Ministers Committed to Concluding ASEAN-Australia-New Zealand Free Trade Agreement, 4 May 2008.
More information on the ASEAN-Australia-New Zealand FTA