The Forum Trade Ministers have recognised the importance of deepening regional trade integration as a means to create jobs, enhance private sector growth, raise standards of living and advance the region's sustainable Economic development in their meeting in Apia Samoa today.

The Ministers affirm that PACER-Plus provides the Pacific region with a significant opportunity to develop a truly innovative trade and economic agreement that takes account of the different stages of development of each nation.

The Trade Ministers reflected their intention to bolster the capacity of all Forum Island countries, to take advantage of trade opportunities to help their economies grow and become more resilient to shocks such as the current global economic crisis.

The Ministers agreed to recommend to leaders that PACER-Plus negotiations commence, after the conclusion of the Pacific Islands Leaders Meeting in Cairns in Australia this August.

Fiji was not invited to the Trade Minister Meeting.

Meanwhile, an Auckland based law professor believes that any decision reached on trade agreements will have no legal foundation due to the exclusion of Fiji from the meeting.

Radio New Zealand reports that Dr. Jane Kesley told NGO's gathered in Apia ahead of the Trade Ministers meeting today, that Fiji's absence will help New Zealand and Australia fast track changes to the Pacific Agreement on Closer Economic Relationship or PACER- Plus.

Dr. Kesley said Fiji has been one of the most rigorous in calling for caution, research and consultation before going forward with PACER-Plus, and their exclusion appears to be likely to have the effect of allowing Australia and NZ to fast track the process with much less resistance than would occur otherwise.