Charles Finny defends APEC from attacks by Eurocrats, arguing that the Asian organization has positively contributed to multilateral liberalization while the EU did little to help.

But the ongoing positive role Apec has played in setting and determining the content of the global policy debate in several important areas is constantly overlooked. The list of contributions is extensive. I want to focus on three areas: non-agricultural market access; environmental goods and services; and fish subsidies. In all three areas, Apec has either delivered meaningful results, or is seen as setting the way for any outcome likely to emerge from the WTO Doha Round. [Bangkok Post]

For an in-depth comparison of the two approaches, check out Europe, East Asia and APEC by Peter Drysdale and David Vines.