ASEAN, China, EU Discuss Transportation Cooperation

TheIndonesia.id - ASEAN member states discussed collaboration potential on transportation sector with partnering countries, including China and the European Union (EU). The dialogue took place during the 27th edition of ASEAN Transport Ministers Meeting which was held virtually on 11 November.

Besides deliberating intra-region policies and collaborations on various aspects in transportation, the forum, which was attended by Indonesia’s Transportation Minister Budi Karya Sumadi, also focused on cooperation with other countries.

On air services agreement (ASA), ASEAN, along with Japan, New Zealand, and South Korea, agreed to push for a more “liberal and mutually beneficial” agreement in order to boost air connectivity between the countries. The intention to further enhance air connectivity was also agreed with the EU.

Meanwhile, the forum agreed that it will strengthen coordination with China to more efficiently implement cooperation projects.

Speaking at the event, Minister Sumadi explained that the meeting was a crucial event for the development of transportation in the region because it didn't only involve member states but also other countries and regions as partners.

“This meeting is pivotal for the development of transportation sector in ASEAN through partnership framework between ASEAN and countries like Japan, South Korea, China, the United States, and other dialogue partners,” Sumadi said.

Among some of the initiatives concluded to strengthen the intra-region collaboration are the reaffirmation of COVID-19 recovery efforts, enhancement of digital transformation in ASEAN, strengthening of ASEAN single aviation market, and facilitation improvement for cross-border transport of goods, among others.

Indonesia is set to host the next edition of the meeting which will be held in 2022 as the Minister hoped the event can be conducted in-person.