12 on ASEAN Tourism Integration, under the ASEAN NTOs, which would facilitate and
recommend further tourism integration measures towards realising the AEC.
9.5 23
RD
ASEAN MINISTERS ON ENERGY MEETING AMEM
66. The Meeting noted the Report of the 23
rd
ASEAN Ministers on Energy Meeting
AMEM held in Siem Reap, Cambodia on 13 July 2005. The Report appears as ANNEX 15.
9.6 1
ST
ASEAN MINISTERIAL MEETING ON MINERALS AMMin
67. The Meeting noted the Report of the 1
st
ASEAN Ministerial Meeting on Minerals
AMMin held in Kuching, Malaysia on 4 August 2005. The Report appears as ANNEX 16. The Meeting, in particular, noted that AMMin signed a Ministerial Understanding MU on
ASEAN Cooperation in Minerals to formalise regional cooperation in minerals. The MU also aims to develop the minerals sector to be an engine for greater economic growth and social
progress in the ASEAN region; enhance trade and investment in the ASEAN minerals sector; and promote environmentally sound and socially responsible mineral development
practices in the sustainable management and optimum utilisation of mineral resources. AGENDA
ITEM 10: JOINT APPROACHES TO INTERNATIONAL AND REGIONAL
ECONOMIC ISSUES 10.1
WORLD TRADE ORGANISATION WTO
68. Viet Nam updated the Meeting on her accession to the WTO. She highlighted her
difficulty to conclude bilateral discussions with the US, which has tabled some requests perceived to go beyond WTO standards; while Australia and New Zealand were asking for
tariff reduction as extended under AFTA. She also briefed the Meeting on the positive progress on the multilateral talks in the Working Party and thanked ASEAN for its support.
She sought further support from ASEAN in persuading the US, Australia and New Zealand to refrain from making unreasonable demands to Viet Nam.
69.
The Ministers pledged their support to Viet Nam for its early accession to the WTO. 70.
The Meeting noted the briefing of Singapore on the preparations for the WTO Ministerial Meeting scheduled in Hong Kong in December 2005.
10.2 ASIA-PACIFIC ECONOMIC COOPERATION APEC
