The agreement consists of the ASEAN Framework on the Facilitation of Inter-State Transport, the ASEAN Multilateral Agreement on the Full Liberalization Air Freight Services, and the ASEAN Multilateral on Air Services.
The ministerial forum was opened by Minister/State Secretary of Philliphinnes, Eduardo R. Ermita. the ASEAN Transportation Ministers attending the forum in business centre, Manila, Makati, namely Minister of Transportation of Indonesia, Jusman Syafii Djamal, Transportation Minister of Brunei Darussalam, Pehin Datu Bakar Apong, Minister of Public Work and Transporattaion of Republic of People Democracy Laos, Sommad Pholsena, and Minister of Transportation, Malaysia, Dato’ Sri Ong Tee Kiat.
Minister of Transporatation of Myanmar, Thein Swe, Minister of Transportation of Phillipinnes, Leandro R. Mendoza, Minister of Transportation of Singapura, Raymond Lim, Minister of Transportation of Vietnam, Ho Nghia Dung. And Kambodja, attended by co-Minister, Tauch Chankosal, and Thailand by Deputy Minister, Varawut Silpa-Archa.
When being confirmed, Head of Centre for Public Communication Ministry of Transportation, Bambang S Ervan, who accompanied the Indonesia Transportation Minister, Jusman Syafii Djamal, in that forum, explained that the endorsement of the agreement is the end result of the 14Th ASEAN Transportation Ministers Meeting (the 14th ASEAN Ministers Meeting) held in Manila, Philipinnes at 6-7 November 2008.
”The ASEAN Framework on the Facilitation of Inter-State Transport is the agreement that arrange the facilitation of inter-state cargo road transport without restriction. The objective is to support the implementation of ASEAN Free Trade Area,” Bambang said, Friday (7/11).
This agreement assures each ASEAN members can realize inter-state road transport within the ASEAN settled area. For Indonesia, the agreement will drive the implementation of BIMP-EAGA MOU on Cross-Border Movement on Commercial Buses and Coaches.
”Especially to accelerate the implementation of cross-border tranport from Pontianak to Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei Darussalam,” Bambang added.
Explained, in that agreement was stated that the list of prohibited and restricted goods will be stated by each country. This statement, says Bambang, are not included in the agreement.
”To be arranged regarding the liberalization of air cargo and passenger transport services in ASEAN in line with Roadmap for Integration of Air Travel Sector that has been approved at the 9th ATM (ASEAN Transportation Ministry Meeteing) in 2003,” he added.
Whereas the ASEAN Multilateral Agreement on the Full Liberalization Air Freight Services contains the agreement to eliminate restriction for points 3, 4, and 5 of air freedom rights indicated by ASEAN.
”And eliminate restriction of air freedom rights for points 3, 4, and 5 among international airports that settled in the ASEAN area.”
The ASEAN Multilateral on Air Services, continued Bambang, arranges the elimination of restriction for air freedom right points 3, 4, and 5 within ASEAN sub-regions, that are Brunei Darussalam, Indonesia, Malaysia and Philipina- East ASEAN Growth Triangle (BIMP-EAGA) and Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand Growth Triangle (IMT-GT)
In addition, the ASEAN Multilateral on Air Services arranges also the elimination of restriction for air freedom points 3, 4, 5 among ASEAN’s Capital Cities.
In their joint statement, Transportation Ministers of ASEAN conlude that the ASEAN Multilateral Agreement on the Full Liberalization Air Freight Services and the ASEAN Multilateral on Air Services are a real step for the establishment of ”single market aviation” in the ASEAN regions. Both agreements is beleived to provide other opportunities, like competition on extension, expansion, and flight movement, and destination in the ASEAN regions. ”Including the extension of capacities and cost efficiency, as well as tariff reduction,” Bambang explained.
All Ministers conclude also that the ASEAN Framework on the Facilitation of Inter-State Transport is able to facilitate the acceleration of cargo regional transport within the ASEAN. ”This is a determination of ASEAN spirit to achieve a joint regional development amongst the difference. The development is realized in the ”Asean Synergy Toward Progress”,” He said.
Cooperation with the Partner Dialog
Bambang added, in the last meeting, Friday (7/11), “Today, all ministers will conduct several meeting with partner dialog. i.e. with Goverenments of China and Japan. Meeting with China is the 7th meeting, and Japan is the 6th meeting. Those meetings are held in the same location”, he explained.
During meeting with government of China, agenda discussed is on the strategy of transport cooperation beween China and ASEAN. Other agenda is to discuss the finalization of MoU on maritime consultation mechanism. ”Meeting with Japan, will discuss the implementation of ASEAN-Japan Transport Partnership Project,” Bambang said. (DIP)