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APEC trade meet ends without joint statement, remains apart on Russia
Japan's trade minister Koichi Hagiuda said the outcome of the two-day meeting in Bangkok, which focused on how to promote economic growth in a post-COVID-19 world, should be reflected in a chairman's statement.
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This handout picture taken on January 6, 2022 and provided by the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry of Japan shows Japan's Economy, Trade and Industry Minister Hagiuda Koichi (L) attending a TV conference with US Secretary of Energy Jennifer Granholm, in Tokyo on January 6, 2022. (AFP/Handout)
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meeting of trade ministers from the Asia-Pacific region ended Sunday without issuing a joint statement due to differences over Russia's invasion of Ukraine, a Japanese minister said.
Japan's trade minister Koichi Hagiuda said the outcome of the two-day meeting in Bangkok, which focused on how to promote economic growth in a post-COVID-19 world, should be reflected in a chairman's statement.
"There were big differences when coordinating the wording over Russia among the member economies," Hagiuda said at a press conference, quoted by Kyodo.
Ministers of 21 nations making up the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation forum, including the world's three largest economies -- the United States, China and Japan -- also discussed issues such as food security, high energy prices and stronger supply chains, according to officials.
In protest against the invasion continuing for almost three months, the top representatives of five economies -- Japan, Australia, Canada, New Zealand and the United States -- walked out when Maksim Reshetnikov, Russia's economic development minister, delivered his remarks during the meeting.
The walkout was "an expression of disapproval at Russia's illegal war of aggression in Ukraine and its economic impact in the APEC region," one diplomat said, quoted by Reuters.
Representatives from Canada, New Zealand, Japan and Australia joined the Americans, led by Trade Representative Katherine Tai, in walking out of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) meeting, two Thai officials and two international diplomats told Reuters.
Russia invaded Ukraine on Feb. 24, saying it aimed to demilitarise and "denazify" its neighbour. Ukraine and the West say President Vladimir Putin launched an unprovoked war of aggression, which has claimed thousands of civilian lives, sent millions of Ukrainians fleeing and caused economic fallout around the world.
Another diplomat said the five countries that staged the protest wanted "stronger language on Russia's war" in the group's final statement to be issued on Sunday.
"The meeting will not be a failure if (a joint statement) cannot be issued," Thai Commerce Minister Jurin Laksanawisit told reporters, adding that the meeting was "progressing well" despite the walk out.
The walkout took place while Russian Economy Minister Maxim Reshetnikov was delivering remarks at the opening of the two-day meeting from the group of 21 economies.
The delegations from five countries that staged the protest returned to the meeting after Reshetnikov finished speaking, a Thai official said.
