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Asean - EU Air Transport Agreement signed in Bali
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Indonesian Transportation Minister Budi Karya Sumardi speaks during the 28th ASEAN Transport Ministers Meeting, which included the signing of the ASEAN-European Union Comprehensive Air Transport Agreement (AE CATA) that had been in the pipeline for nearly a decade. (Photo: Transportation Ministry)
T
he 28th ASEAN Transport Ministers (ATM) Meeting, led by Indonesian Transportation Minister Budi Karya Sumardi, produced several strategic agreements to bolster the region’s connectivity, including an air transport agreement with the European Union (EU).
“We are pleased that the agreement, which has been discussed since nine or 10 years ago, was finally signed when Indonesia was the host,” Budi said on Monday in Nusa Dua, Bali.
The ASEAN-European Union Comprehensive Air Transport Agreement (AE CATA) is the first agreement on interregional air connectivity in the world. It also marks another aviation milestone for detailing more comprehensive cooperation in aviation safety and security, air traffic management and consumer protection, as well as social and environmental issues related to the sector.
The agreement also marks 45 years of ASEAN-EU ties and demonstrates ASEAN strategic role in the eyes of the EU and the international community.
Budi also expressed appreciation for the joint efforts of ASEAN ministers and delegates in producing several agreements, which would contribute to the progress of the ASEAN community.
In the midst of the increasing competition between countries and even continents, Budi expressed the hope that the ASEAN member states would remain united through the current global uncertainties, including the COVID-19 pandemic, the energy, food and water crises and growing geopolitical tensions.
The AE CATA was signed by Permanent Secretary Loh Ngai Seng of the Singaporean Transport Ministry, Secretary-General Novie Riyanto of the Indonesian Transportation Ministry, Mobility and Transport Director-General Henrik Hololei of the European Union, Czech Ambassador to Indonesia Jaroslav Dolecek and ASEAN Secretary-General Dato Lim Jock Hoi.
The witnesses to the signing of the agreement included Indonesian Transportation Minister Budi Karya Sumardi as well as other representatives from ASEAN member states and ASEAN’s dialogue partners Japan, South Korea, the European Union and China.
Budi chaired a series of meetings from Oct. 14 to 17 during the 54th ASEAN Senior Transport Officials Meeting and the 28th ASEAN Transport Ministers Meeting.
The annual meetings were held in person for the first time in two years, when they were held online.
This article is published in collaboration with the Transportation Ministry of the Republic of Indonesia.
