THE Minister of Communications, Dato Seri Setia Awang Haji Mustappa bin Haji Sirat, attended the 22nd Asean Transport Ministers (22nd ATM) Meeting and its related meetings with dialogue partners in Manila, Philippines.
To enhance mobility of goods, people and services, Brunei Darussalam reiterated the importance of transport collaboration with Asean dialogue partners. In this regard, Brunei expressed appreciation to the People’s Republic of China, Japan and the Republic of Korea, for the technical assistance and cooperation in supporting various Asean initiatives towards the implementation of the Kuala Lumpur Transport Strategic Plans.
The minister said Brunei also looks forward to more progress in air services negotiations that offers the benefits and opportunities to Asean dialogue partners, in terms of the number of destinations that Asean can offer. In addition, Brunei will continue to participate in the human capacity training programmes offered by the dialogue partners in striving towards enhancing competency in various transport fields.
The meetings were held from November 17 – 18 at the Philippines International Convention Centre (PICC), Roxas Boulevard, Manila, a press release stated.
The 22nd ATM Meeting was officiated by Benjamin E Diokno, Secretary of Budget and Management, representing Office of the President and was chaired by Secretary of Transportation of the Philippines, Arthur Tugade, with the Coordinating Minister for Infrastructure and Minister for Transport of Singapore, Khaw Boon Wan as Vice-Chairperson.
The ministers commended the strong start in the implementation of the Kuala Lumpur Transport Strategic Plan (KLTSP) 2016-2025 and reaffirmed commitments to intensify cooperation to realise the Asean Economic Community 2025 vision, which calls for a deeply integrated region that would contribute towards a highly cohesive Asean economy.
The full ratification by all the Asean member states of the air transport agreements will pave the way to open skies in Asean, which is one of the key pillars supporting Asean integration, and efforts to enhance the Asean air services agreements to further liberalise key economic elements under the Asean Single Aviation Market (ASAM) Implementation Framework.
Dato Seri Setia Awang Haji Mustappa bin Haji Sirat alongside other Asean Ministers of Transport and the Deputy Secretary General of Asean with Benjamun Diokno, Secretary of Department of Budget and Management of the Philippines, during the opening ceremony of the 22nd ATM on November 17th in Manila, Philippines. – MINISTRY OF COMMUNICATIONS
The 22nd ATM also commended the good progress in transport projects and initiatives. Among others, was the notable progress on the conclusion of substantive negotiations on the Asean Framework Agreement on the Facilitation of Cross-Border Transport of Passengers by Road Vehicles (Asean CBTP).
The ministers were also pleased with the progress in the establishment of a Mutual Recognition Arrangement (MRA) on Flight Crew Licensing, which would demonstrate Asean’s commitment to raise aviation safety standards.
The ministers also held meetings with dialogue partners namely, the People’s Republic of China, Japan and the Republic of Korea (ROK). In this regard, the ministers commended the progress made in transport cooperation with dialogue partners which will further strengthen Asean transport connectivity.
The 15th ATM+China meeting adopted the revised Strategic Plan for Asean-China Transport Cooperation which aligns with Asean’s goals and actions in the Kuala Lumpur Transport Strategic Plan 2016-2025 and China’s vision of ‘Belt and Road’.
During the 14th ATM+Japan Meeting, the ministers endorsed the Asean-Japan new initiatives under Asean-Japan Transport Partnership (AJTP), which include the implementation of the new Asean-Japan Action Plan on Environmental Friendly Ships in Asean, Implementation of Green Logistics Vision and Action Plan and Enhancement of Port Security in Asean member states through the programmes of the Port Security Expert Meeting (PSEM). The ministers welcomed the progress in the Asean-Japan Consultation on Regional Air Services Agreement (AJC-RASA) in March 2016, succeeding two meetings of Asean-Japan Working Group on Regional Air Services Agreement.
Meanwhile, at the 7th ATM+Korea Meeting, the ministers welcomed the progress made in implementing the Asean-ROK Transport Cooperation Roadmap projects/activities in 2016, and looked forward to the implementation of the 2017 key projects/activities, which ranges from capacity building training programmes to enhancing air transport connectivity.
The 23rd Asean Transport Ministers Meeting and its related meetings with dialogue partners will be held in October 2017, at Singapore.
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