Philippines signs ASEAN-EU air cooperation agreement

The Philippines joined the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) in signing the world’s first inter-region aviation cooperation agreement at the 28th ASEAN Transport Ministers Meeting in Bali, Indonesia, the Department of Transportation said Monday.

Transportation Secretary Jaime Bautista on Monday gave his stamp of approval to the ASEAN-EU Comprehensive Air Transport Agreement (CATA), and the ASEAN Agreement on Aeronautical and Maritime Search and Rescue (SAR) Cooperation—two deals seen to strengthen connectivity and rebuild the economy in the South East Asian region.

“As a key player in the transport affairs of the Southeast Asian region, the Republic of the Philippines is supportive and is one with the other partner nations in pushing for agreements and areas of partnership that will further develop the region’s transportation potentials,” Bautista said in his message during the annual gathering of transport ministers.

“This agreement will prove to be a game-changer as both ASEAN and EU countries slowly recover and rebuild from the effects of the pandemic. The agreement will have a profound impact in the areas of trade and tourism for ASEAN and the EU,” he said.

According to the Transportation chief, the ASEAN-EU CATA as the “world’s first bloc-to-bloc air transport agreement” will rebuild the connectivity within the two blocs which was suspended by the COVID-19 pandemic.

He also said the Philippines will benefit from the “information exchange and sharing of best practices” in the ASEAN Agreement on Aeronautical and Maritime SAR Cooperation.

Further, Bautista said the country is one with other ASEAN nations in adopting several guidelines “in the areas of aviation safety, air traffic management, consumer protection, and environmental and social matters”.

The ASEAN Transport Ministers Meeting provides an annual platform for transport leaders from ASEAN to discuss the priorities and initiatives to further bolster cooperation within the region and with dialogue partners. — BM, GMA News