The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) signed three agreements on Thursday that will lead to the full liberalization of freight and other air services in the region, the Philippine government said.
The ASEAN Multilateral Agreement on the Full Liberalization of Air Freight Services, the ASEAN Multilateral Agreement on Air Service, and the ASEAN Framework Agreement on the Facilitation of Inter-State Transport, will pave the way for the implementation of the integrated air transport services, the government said in a statement.
The pacts were signed by the ASEAN transport chiefs, who are in Manila for the 14th ASEAN Transport Ministers Meeting. Philippine President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo witnessed the signing of the agreements.
Such a move is in line with the ASEAN efforts to realize an ASEAN Economic Community by 2015, according to the statement.
The ASEAN Multilateral Agreement on Air Services will lead to the gradual removal of restrictions for greater flexibility and capacity in air freight services in the region.
The agreement will also contribute to the creation of a transport network linking the 10 member-states which seek to build a unified aviation market by 2015.
The ASEAN Multilateral Agreement on the Full Liberalization of Air Freight Services aims to ensure an efficient and competitive international air freight services in a move to promote economic growth.
The ASEAN Framework Agreement on the Facilitation of Inter-State Transport, on the other hand, aims to facilitate greater trade and bring about closer economic integration in the region.
The three pacts were the "last three transportation agreements that will complete the ASEAN Economic Community Integration of Transportation by 2015, said Leandro Mendoza, Transportation and Communications Secretary of the Philippines.
"It marks a milestone in the history of ASEAN as the signing of the agreements will pave the way for the realization of our commonvision of an integrated community," he said.
Officials said air travel liberalization will not be a complete "open-sky" policy even as regional member countries shall commit to increase flight frequencies in the region within a certain timeline.
Source:Xinhua
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