WASHINGTON - United States Trade Representative Robert B. Zoellick announced today, in conjunction with the U.S. Government's support for the IMF agreement with Argentina, that he would be pleased to meet with the ministers responsible for trade from Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay, and Uruguay.
"The purpose of the meeting would be to pursue our common interest in free trade as an engine of economic growth globally, regionally, and bilaterally," stated Ambassador Zoellick.
The ministerial meeting of the "Four-Plus-One" countries would be held pursuant to the 1991 Rose Garden Agreement among the United States and the four countries. Areas of discussion would include the launch of a new round of multilateral trade negotiations in the World Trade Organization, the negotiation of the Free Trade Area of the Americas, and other possibilities within the Four-Plus-One context. It could occur during September, schedules permitting.
