KUALA LUMPUR, March 1 (NNN-BERNAMA) - Malaysia is keen to join the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP), which involves a small number of Paficic Rim nations, but only after consultations and based on certain parameters, says Minister of International Trade and Industry Mustapa Mohamed.

"We are keen to come on board subject to consultations and certain parameters. The consultation is being held now," he told Malaysian reporters after the conclusion of the 16th Asean Economic Ministers' (AEM) Retreat Sunday in the national administrative capital, Putrajaya, near here.

He added that the ministry had set a number of meetings with the government and the private sector and this was an on-going process.

"Once this consultation is completed, I will submit a proposal to the Cabinet and will be guided by the government on how we should move," he said, adding that the discussions on the TPP were still at the early stage.

"We have had held several discussions on TPP. Two weeks ago, we spoke to the US Deputy Trade Representative, Demetrios Marantis, when he came to Malaysia. He came to see me to discuss about TPP and I told him Malaysia was interested," Mustapa said, adding that Malaysia was no longer pursuing efforts to sign a bilateral free trade agreement with the US

Currently, the TPP comprises the Brunei, Chile, New Zealand and Singapore.

Meanwhile, Vietnamese Minister of Industry and Trade Dr Vu Huy Hoang said Vietnam and the US had been invited to join the TPP. The first round of negotiations would be held in Melbourne, Australia, next month.

"The success of the TPP depends very much on the US attitude and views on Vietnam. Vietnam will do its best to participate in the negotiations," he said.

Association of South East Asian Nations (Asean) Secretary-General Surin Pitsuwan said the US had expressed interest in Asean on the multi-layer basis, which included political, trade and strategies.

With Asean, the discussions were on what the best modality was to move forward, he said, adding that there were regular consultations with the US.

"There is very keen interest to strengthen co-operation with the US but because of the differences and diversity among Asean members, there is no decision yet on whether it will be a free trade agreement," he said.

Dr Surin said discussions are going on and a ministerial delegation will be going to the US in May. Part of the talks will centre on how to strengthen trade and investment co-operation between Asean and the US, he said.

On the progress of the Doha Round of multilateral trade negotiations, Mustapa said there was no new development on the talks due to problems with some of the major trading nations.

"The Doha Development Round has problems with some major trading nations over their lack of commitment. There are fundamental issues that remained unresolved. In the absence of high commitment from major trading nations, surely the Doha Round cannot succeed," he said.

The Doha Development Round is the trade negotiations round of the World Trade Organization (WTO) that commenced in November 2001. Based on media reports, Mustapa said, the Doha Round faced obstacles to conclude negotiations this year.

"We issued a statement last year that the Doha Development Round talks will conclude at the end of this year, but judging from the reports, it is going to be a tall order," he added.