. The Seventh ASEAN Transport Ministers (ATM) Meeting was held on 25-26 October 2001 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, preceded by the Twelfth ASEAN Senior Transport Officials Meeting (STOM) on 23-24 October 2001.
2. The Meeting was chaired by H.E. Dato’ Seri Dr. Ling Liong Sik, Minister of Transport Malaysia, with H.E. Mr. Agum Gumelar, Minister of Communications for Indonesia, as Vice-Chairman.
Approval of the Third Package of Commitments for the Air and Maritime Transport Sectors under the ASEAN Framework Agreement on Services
3. The Ministers endorsed the offers in the liberalization of air and maritime transport sectors for incorporation into the Protocol to Implement the Third Package of Commitments under the ASEAN Framework Agreement on Services (AFAS). The Protocol is expected to be signed by the ASEAN Economic Ministers when they meet before the end of the year.
4. Under the package, all member countries have agreed to liberalize the selling and marketing of air transport services. This includes the setting-up of airline offices and appointments of general sales agents. Bearing in mind the cabotage principle, in maritime transport, this liberalization entails the right and freedom for ships to transport international passengers and cargo without restriction within ASEAN ports.
5. The Ministers directed the Senior Transport Officials Meeting (STOM) to identify additional services sectors and to expand market access in the further liberalization of the air and maritime transport services, for the period 2002-2004.
Implementation of the HPA’s Transport Action Agenda / Successor Plan of Action in Transport 1999-2004
6. The Ministers supported the specific measures to further enhance the implementation of the transport action agenda of the Hanoi Plan of Action. This will include cooperation and harmonization of all transport facilitation for goods in-transit, multimodal transport operation and transport infrastructure project development. The Ministers agreed to recommend to the ASEAN leaders to incorporate Road Safety as a new HPA activity for endorsement at the Seventh ASEAN Summit to be held on 5-6 November 2001 in Brunei Darussalam.
7. The Ministers noted the direction of ASEAN transport cooperation in 2001, which focuses on project development activities to support the implementation of the HPA’s transport action agenda and the Successor Plan of Action in Transport 1999-2004, as well as on the finalization of the ASEAN transport cooperation agreements.
8. The Ministers noted with satisfaction the significant progress made on the HPA’s strategic programs for the ASEAN highways and railways infrastructure projects and in air, land and maritime transport cooperation.
9. The Ministers also expressed gratitude to the donor countries and agencies for their technical support and assistance in implementing ASEAN’s transport cooperation programs. These countries and agencies include China, Japan, European Union, Republic of Korea, Australia, New Zealand, Belgium, Germany, Asian Development Bank, United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific, International Maritime Organization and the Global Road Safety Partnership.
Finalization of ASEAN Transport Cooperation Agreements
10. The Ministers agreed to request the member countries to study the desirability and feasibility of phased implementation to expedite the effective implementation of the ASEAN Framework Agreement on the Facilitation of Goods in Transit.
11. The Ministers looked forward to the eventual signing of the ASEAN Memorandum of Understanding on Air Freight Services as the first step towards the full liberalization of air freight services in the ASEAN region. This MoU will allow the designated airlines of each member country to operate all-cargo services between designated points in ASEAN countries.
12. The Ministers looked forward to signing the ASEAN Framework Agreements on Multimodal Transport and Facilitation of Inter-State Transport and the Protocols on Designation of Transit Transport Routes, Railways Border and Interchange Stations and Dangerous Goods by the next ATM.
Enhancing Transportation Security Cooperation
13. The Ministers exchanged views and shared information on the impact and developments in the wake of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks on the World Trade Centre (WTC) and the Pentagon in the United States, which exposed the vulnerability of international transport systems.
14. The Ministers agreed to further enhance transportation security cooperation in the ASEAN region, in line with best international standards, recommended practices and guidelines covering all modes of transport and in particular in the aviation and maritime sectors. In this regard, the Ministers directed STOM to work out the potential areas of cooperation and submit its recommendations as soon as possible.
Eighth ATM
15. Indonesia will host the Eighth ATM on 18-19 September 2002, to be preceded by the 14th STOM on 16-17 September 2002.
Attendance:
The following attended the Seventh ATM, together with their respective delegations:
H.E. PEHIN DATO HAJI ZAKARIA SULAIMAN
Minister of Communications, Brunei Darussalam
H.E. MR. KHY TAINGLIM
Minister of Public Works and Transport, Cambodia
H.E. MR. AGUM GUMELAR
Minister of Communications, Indonesia
H.E. MR. BOUATHONG VONGLOKHAM
Minister of Communications, Transport, Post and Construction, Lao PDR
H.E. DATO’ SERI DR. LING LIONG SIK
Minister of Transport, Malaysia
H.E. MAJ. GEN. HLA MYINT SWE
Minister of Transport, Myanmar
H.E. MR. WILFREDO M. TRINIDAD
Deputy Minister for Transportation, Department of Transportation and Communications, Philippines
H.E. MR. ALAN CHAN HENG LOON
Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Communications and Information Technology, Singapore
H.E. MR. WANMUHAMADNOOR MATHA
Minister of Transport and Communications, Thailand
H.E. DR. TRAN DOAN THO
Vice Minister of Transport, Viet Nam
H.E. MR. RODOLFO C. SEVERINO, JR.
ASEAN Secretary-General
