Four Nations Agree On Air Links, CIQS
By Sonia K. in Cebu Philippines

Cebu - New initiatives in transport, energy and customs, immigrations quarantine security (CIQS) sectors highlight the agreements signed during the Brunei-Indonesia-MalaysiaPhilippines East Asia Growth Area (BIMPEAGA) summit yesterday at the Shangri-La's Mactan Island Resort and Spa in Cebu, Philippines.

A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Expansion of Air Linkages which designates seven major international airports to be granted fifth freedom traffic rights was also signed yesterday.

These airports are Bandar Seri Begawan in Brunei Darussalam, Pontianak and Balikpapan in Indonesia, Kota Kinabalu and Kuching in Malaysia and Davao and Zamboanga in the Philippines.

The MoU provides for the multiple designation of airlines without restrictions on frequency and capacity and co-terminalisation with stopover rights and code sharing arrangements.

These initiatives are aimed at gradually increasing the number of air links inAsean, which, in turn, will lead to the steady growth of tourism in the sub-region.

The four-nation Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Expansion of Air Linkages in the Brunei-Indonesia-Malaysia-Philippines East Asia Growth Area (BIMP-EAGA) was signed in the presence of His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di Pertuan of Negara Brunei Darussalam, Philippine President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, President of Indonesia Dr H. Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono and Prime Minister of Malaysia Dato Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi.

Those who signed the MoU were Brunei Darussalam Forign Affairs and Trade Minister His Royal Highness Prince Mohamed Bolkiah and Indonesian Foreign Minister Dr Nur Hassan Wirajuda, Transportation and Communications Secretary Leandro Mendoza for the Philippines, and Malaysian Foreign Minister Hamid Jaafar Albar.

In her opening statement, President Arroyo said the Philippines is also looking forward to the continuing negotiations on cooperation on the development of energy and mineral resources.

She cited the importance of conserving the environment beyond by maintaining the delicate ecological balance of the region.

For the Philippines, the new accord will pave the way for Mindanao to be the country's new gateway to the neighbouring countries, Brunei, Indonesia and Malaysia. The BIMP-EAGA report, prepared by Malaysia as the standing chair, was presented to the Asean leaders during the start of their summit yesterday afternoon at Shangri-La.

The signing of the CIQS agreements 12 months after the 2nd BIMP-EAGA Summit in Kuala Lumpur in Dec 2005 is considered a major breakthrough in Asean cooperation in the CIQS Sectors.

The signing ceremonies yesterday afternoon were the first activity to be graced by President Arroyo upon her arrival here for the 12th Asean Summit. The BIMP-EAGA is aimed at accelerating economic development in the region through increased investments, the development of human resources, effective use of natural resources and stronger security measures.

The leaders also reaffirmed efforts to enhance cooperation within he sub-region the areas of energy, customs, immigration and quarantine security (CIQS).

In a separate press conference, Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process in Mindanao Jesus Dureza hailed the signing of these agreements to hasten economic development in the sub-region: He pointed out that airlines in the BIMP EAGA have been waiting for a long time for the conclusion of these accords. Cooperation in trade facilitation is likewise expected to be strengthened with the simplification of customs, immigrations quarantine security rules, regulations and procedures.

Today, His Majesty will attend the opening ceremony of the 121 Asean Summit which will take place at Shangri-La Hotel. His Majesty together with the nine Asean members will review the report present by the Chair of 27"' Asean Inter-Parliamentary Organisation Assembly followed by another report by the Chair of the 51 Asean People's Assembly.

A dialogue between the Asean Leaders and Asean-BAC will be held before the special session on HIV and AIDS.

A signing ceremony on the Accession to the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation (TAC) by Timor Leste and France will be held. A book presentation named "Southeast Asia in Search of an Aseean Community" will be presented by former Asean Secretary-General Rodolfo C Severino.-- Courtesy of Borneo Bulletin

Click Here To Have Your Say On This Story

Brudirect.com News

Brunei's Fastest Growing Website with