APEC 2012 opens with senior officials meeting

VLADIVOSTOK, Russia - The 2012 Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation forum (APEC) opened on Sunday with its usual senior officials' meeting aimed at identifying issues for further discussion.

Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Igor Morgulov said at the opening session of the meeting that he would make sure the Vladivostok APEC would produce "success and meaningful outcomes for all economies".

The Russian host told delegates that he would expect "very efficient, thoughtful and productive two days" at the senior officials meeting on the Russky Island just off Vladivostok.

Senior officials attend APEC Senior Officials Meeting ahead of the 2012 APEC Summit in Vladivostok, Russia, Sept 2, 2012. [Photo/Xinhua]

The APEC senior officials meeting, which will conclude on Monday, is scheduled to deal with all items on the 2012 agenda as declared by Russia during its rotating presidency of the 21-economy forum.

The issues proposed at the meeting might hinder the formation of a final statement to be presented to the ministers and then the heads of member economies next Sunday for approval.

Related topics range from further trade and investment liberalization, regional economic integration, establishment of reliable supply chains and intensive cooperation to foster innovative growth.

Vladimir Miklushevsky, governor of the Russian Primorsky Territory with Vladivostok as its administrative capital, felt relieved that APEC 2012 had got under way.

The forum came to Russia for the first time since founded in 1989, and was expected to present "a unique opportunity to accelerate Russia's participation in the (Asia-Pacific) regional economic integration process," the governor said.

He also said that Russia, a country with a vast land spanning Europe and Asia, wanted to be further integrated into the dynamic process of the "new Asia" program which would see APEC facilities contribute to the further development of Russia's Far East.