The ASEAN–Australia–New Zealand Free Trade Agreement

Early
1990s:
The Australian government initiates efforts to develop links
between
the ASEAN Free Trade Area (AFTA) and the Australia-New Zealand
Closer Economic Relations (CER) agreement.

November 1993: Former Deputy
Prime Minister of Thailand, Mr Supachai, makes
supportive comments about linking AFTA and CER at trade
conference in Melbourne.

September
1995:
Informal consultations between Ministers from ASEAN,
Australia
and New Zealand in Brunei agree to "region to region
linkages" between AFTA and CER.

October 1999: ASEAN, Australian and New Zealand Ministers establish a
High
Level Task Force to examine the feasibility of an AFTA-CER Free
Trade Area.

October 2000: The High Level Task Force report "The Angkor
Agenda" supports
the establishment of an AFTA-CER free trade
agreement.

September
2002: AFTA-CER Closer Economic Partnership (CEP) established.

November
2004:
Leaders from the 10 ASEAN countries, Australia and New
Zealand
agree in Laos to launch negotiations on a comprehensive FTA
covering goods and services, as well as investment.

March
2005: AANZFTA negotiations begin in Manila.

2005 - 2008:
16 rounds of negotiations.

28 August
2008:
ASEAN, Australian and New Zealand Ministers meet in
Singapore.

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