APEC Senior Official Optimistic About Consensus

Foreign and commerce ministers continued their discussions at the Asia-Pacific economic cooperation in Bangkok to thrash out the wording of the final declaration, expected to be issued after the leaders' meeting.

Their third session concentrated on open and sustainable trade and investment. APEC senior official, Cherdchai Chaivaivid told  that he was 'cautiously optimistic' about reaching a consensus on most issues, but conceded there might still be difficulties over contentious issues.
 
Apec's official mission is to promote regional economic integration, which means setting guidelines for long-term development of a free trade area. Most of its work is technical and incremental/ carried out by senior officials and ministers, covering various areas.