Mr Triet, who chaired the AELM 14 and the APEC Week, said AELM 14 wrapped up the APEC Week and the APEC Year 2006, both hosted by Vietnam for the first time.

He informed local and foreign media and press on the major outcomes of AELM. Referring to the theme of “Towards a dynamic community for sustainable development and prosperity” proposed by Vietnam, he said APEC leaders discussed the two main topics (1) Promoting trade and investment in a changing world, and, (2) Fundamentals ensuring dynamism, growth and sustainable development in APEC.

APEC leaders issued a statement on the Doha Round of trade negotiations, affirming their political resolve with several practical measures to reboot the round as early as possible.

As the host of the meeting and a new WTO member, Vietnam has played a vital part in this issue, considering it the country’s important contribution to the grouping, said Mr Triet.

APEC leaders adopted the Hanoi Action Plan to implement the Busan Roadmap towards the Bogor Goals. They highly valued the significance and contents of the plan, viewing this as a foundation for APEC economic and trade cooperation for the next 15 years and a contribution to perfecting APEC cooperation mechanisms.

“This is an important initiative, putting the stamp of Vietnam on the APEC process,” said Mr Triet.

APEC leaders also adopted the APEC reform package with specific measures to make APEC more vibrant, dynamic and efficient.  
“This is a significant outcome for the future development of the grouping,” said Mr Triet.

APEC leaders also committed to boosting cooperation to ensure public security in the region. They said terrorism is a serious threat to security and peace in the region and the world. Accordingly, they welcomed initiatives on counter-terrorism adopted at the meeting.

In addition, they also agreed to strengthen and expand cooperation to cope with pandemics, natural disasters and fluctuations in the energy market to ensure the safety and well-being of the people in the region.

They endorsed the statement of the 18^th APEC Joint Ministerial Meeting, as well as other declarations of the Meeting of Ministers Responsible for Trade (MRT), the APEC Finance Ministers’ Meeting, the Meeting of Ministers Responsible for Avian and Pandemic Influenza, the 13th APEC Small and Medium Enterprises Ministerial Meeting, and the fourth APEC Tourism Ministerial Meeting.

AELM 14 also adopted the Hanoi Declaration, affirming their agreements on the results of the meeting and development orientations for the grouping.

During the APEC Week, APEC leaders held a direct dialogue with the APEC Business Advisory Council to exchange views and measures to bolster economic development, trade and investment in each member economy as well as in the whole region. Many APEC leaders also delivered speeches at the CEO Summit 2006.

The APEC Week became increasingly busier with the five official visits by high-level foreign delegations and the “Doing business with Vietnam” conference.

On behalf of the Party, Government and people of Vietnam, Mr Triet thanked the leaders of the APEC member economies and the APEC Secretariat as well as Vietnamese ministries, sectors and the people for their strong support and close cooperation in helping Vietnam perform its role as the host of APEC Year 2006 and the chair of AELM 14 successfully.

State President Triet and Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Pham Gia Khiem answered questions raised by domestic and foreign reporters.