APEC November Meeting to Discuss Free-Trade Accord, Peru Says

By Alex Emery

Oct. 23 2008 (Bloomberg) — The Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation forum will study a proposed European Union-style free-trade agreement at a November meeting in Lima, Peru’s government said today.

The agreement aims to prepare the Asia-Pacific region for a shift in economic influence from the U.S., Australian envoy Richard Woolcott said after meeting with President Alan Garcia, the president’s office said in an e-mailed statement. Australia Prime Minister Kevin Rudd proposed the trade accord in June.