APEC issues "urgent request" for end to Doha talks

SYDNEY, Sep 9 (Reuters) The 21-member Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum today urged a speedy resolution to the stalled Doha round of world trade talks.

Australian Prime Minister John Howard said the call was included in the final declaration issued at the end of a two-day meeting of APEC leaders, that included Russia, the United States and China.

Howard said the leaders' declaration included a ''statement of very strong support for the Doha round and an urgent request for all countries involved in the Doha process to renew their efforts to achieve an outcome, emphasising that agriculture and industrial products are the two priority areas.'' REUTERS RS AS1046