APEC leaders pledge to boost finances

Asia-Pacific countries need to work closely together and support free trade to protect themselves from the eurozone debt crisis, which is a brake on their growth, the 21-nation APEC forum said Sunday. The crisis in Europe was increasingly a threat to their emerging markets, the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation forum members said in their final declaration as the summit drew to a close in the Russian Pacific port town of Vladivostok. Russian President Vladimir Putin told a press conference that the general mood in the region was positive. But “there are some worries, especially taking into account the situation in Europe.” “The Asia-Pacific region is a driving force of the entire global economy,” he was quoted as saying by Itar-Tass news agency. “Whereas the eurozone features zero growth or a recession, here we see growth, although minor.” The summit participants included national leaders from China, Japan, South Korea, Brunei, Canada, Peru, New Zealand, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, Vietnam and Thailand. Also present was the director of the International Monetary Fund and more than 750 senior corporate executives, organizers said.