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MANILA,
Nov. 6 (PNA) -– Recognizing the important role that an efficient and
integrated transport system plays for the Association of Southeast
Asian Nations (ASEAN) to integrate with the global economy and improve
its competitiveness to attain growth within the region, transport
ministers from the 10-member ASEAN meet today until November 7, 2008 at
the Makati Shangri-La Hotel.
The
14th ASEAN Transport Ministers Meeting (ATM) aims to discuss various
transport cooperation initiatives for implementation to deepen and
broaden ASEAN’s internal economic integration and linkages with the
world economy.
Attending
the meeting are Brunei Darussalam Minister of Communications Pehin Datu
Abu Bakar Apong; Cambodia Secretary of State (Vice Minister) Tauch
Chankosal; Indonesia Minister for Transportation Jusman Syafii Djamal;
Lao PDR Minister of Public Works and Transport Sommad Pholsena;
Malaysia Minister of Transport Dato’ Sri Ong Tee Keat; Myanmar Minister
for Transport Major General Thein Swe; Philippine Secretary of
Transportation and Communications Leandro R. Mendoza; Singapore
Minister for Transport Raymond Lim; Thailand Deputy Minister of
Transport Varawut Silpa-Archa; and Vietnam Minister of Transport Ho
Nghia Dung.
Mendoza,
said “The DOTC is honored to host this very important meeting of the
Transport Ministers from the ASEAN member-states bound by common
interests, commitment and goals in the pursuit of opportunities for
further cooperative work in the transport sector to deepen and enhance
ASEAN integration.”
He
added, “The determination of the ASEAN to rise above diversity to
achieve the region’s common development goal is manifested in this
meeting’s theme ‘ASEAN Synergy Towards Progress.’”
He said the meeting will be a milestone as various agreements will be signed.
These
are the ASEAN Framework on the Facilitation of Inter-state Transport,
the ASEAN Multilateral Agreement on Full Liberalization of Air Freight
Services and the ASEAN Multilateral Agreement on Air Services.
The
ASEAN Framework on the Faccilitation of Inter-state Transport grants
each member state the right to inter-state transport by allowing
transport operators duly established in one ASEAN country to undertake
transport of goods into and/or from the territories of other ASEAN
countries and to loan and discharge goods destined for or coming from
other ASEAN countries.
The
member-states also agreed to provide facilities for inter-state
transport and to ensure that transport shall not be subject to any
unnecessary delays. The agreement is for implementation by 2009.
The
Multilateral Agreement on the Full Liberalization of Air Freight
Services grants the designated airlines the right to fly across each
ASEAN member-states’ territory without landing; the right to make stops
in its territory for non-traffic purposes; and the rights otherwise
specified in the agreement including unlimited third, fourth, fifth
freedom traffic rights among designated points in ASEAN as well as
unlimited third, fourth, fifth freedom of traffic rights among all
points with international airports in ASEAN. The agreement is for
implementation by 2008.
The
Multilateral Agreement on Air Services also allows designated airlines
the right to fly across each member state’s territory without landing
and the right to make stops in its territory for non-traffic purposes
other than discharging passengers.
The
agreement also grants unlimited third, fourth and fifth freedom traffic
rights within and between ASEAN sub-regions, for implementation by
2008, between the capital cities for implementation by 2010.
The
Multilateral Agreements of the Full Liberalization of Air Freight
Services and Air Services aim to liberalize passenger and cargo
services in the ASEAN region on gradual basis with a view to build a
single unified aviation market by 2015.
”I am happy to note that our country will be instrumental in the signing of these historic agreements,” Mendoza said.
The 14th ATM was preceded by 26th ASEAN Senior Transport Officials Meeting (STOM) held last Nov. 3 – 5, 2008.
The
STOM has been institutionalized as an annual gathering to discuss
policy support measures needed for the development of transport
infrastructures and to strengthen the linkages and connectivity to
enhance regional integration and competitiveness. (PNA) |
