During the meeting, Foreign Minister Nguyen Dy Nien highlighted Viet Nam's determination to combat terrorism and corruption, and affirmed the country's efforts to ensure a safe, transparent and stable business environment.

He also said Viet Nam is determined to fight bird flu and proposed that APEC members assist the epidemic-hit countries with medicines and production recipes. He also called on APEC member economies to closely cooperate in monitoring and early warning natural calamities.

In addition, Minister Nien stressed Viet Nam's readiness for the 2006 APEC Summit in Ha Noi. APEC delegates appreciated Viet Nam's preparatory works for the event after seeing a five-minute documentary film screened at the meeting.

Trade Minister Truong Dinh Tuyen reiterated Viet Nam's determination to join the World Trade Organisation (WTO) and called on APEC member economies to support the country's efforts towards the purpose.

He also pledged that Viet Nam will create more favourable conditions for inter-regional cooperation in trade and investment.

On the sidelines of the conference, the two ministers had bilateral talks with Ministers of Foreign Affairs and Economy of other member economies namely Japan, the Republic of Korea, New Zealand, and Peru. At these talks, all ministers praised Viet Nam's economic achievements in the recent past and asserted their support for Viet Nam's WTO entry. They also showed their willing to help Viet Nam successfully host the next APEC summit./.