JOINT MEDIA STATEMENT

1.                   We, the ASEAN Transport Ministers, held our Tenth ASEAN Transport Ministers (ATM) Meeting in Phnom Penh, Cambodia on 23 November 2004. H.E. Mr. Sun Chanthol, Minister of Public Works and Transport of Cambodia presided over the Meeting, with H.E. Mr. Sommad Pholsena, Deputy Minister of Communication, Transport, Post and Construction of Lao PDR as Vice-Chairman.

2.                   We discussed the progress of the implementation of the current Plan of Action in Transport and steps needed to further liberalize and integrate the region’s transportation services and networks, including the next Plans of Action in Transport in general and in air travel and road safety in particular. We also reviewed the progress of the joint cooperation activities and projects with our dialogue partners.

Opening Ceremony

3.         H.E. Samdech Hun Sen, Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Cambodia, officially opened the Tenth ATM. In his Opening Address, the Prime Minister underscored that an efficient and integrated transport network in ASEAN is critical for realizing the full potential of the ASEAN Free Trade Area as well as in enhancing the attractiveness of the region as a single production and investment destination as envisaged under the ASEAN Economic Community (AEC). He highlighted that ASEAN transport is also critical in linking ASEAN with the neighboring Northeast and South Asian countries, in the concept of “two wings” for the region; with China, Japan and Korea in the northeast and India in the south of Asia. He enjoined the need for strong commitment in the implementation of the Transport Agenda of the Vientiane Action Programme (VAP) 2004-2010 to be adopted at the Tenth ASEAN Summit in Vientiane, Lao PDR on 29-30 November 2004. He affirmed Cambodia’s commitment to integrate its transportation network with other ASEAN Member Countries and with the rest of the world.  He urged the ASEAN Transport Ministers to accelerate their efforts to develop and implement action plans to enhance traffic safety, among others, in the ASEAN region.

Charting an Open, Integrated and Safe Transport Sector in ASEAN

4.                   We commended our senior officials and their Working Groups on the remarkable progress made in the implementation of the Plan of Action in Transport 1999-2004 in support of the six-year Hanoi Plan of Action, which both end in 2004. These include, among others, the conclusion and subsequent implementation of regional transport agreements on (a) the mutual recognition of commercial vehicle inspection certificates, (b) ASEAN highway network development, (c) facilitation of goods in transit and its five implementing protocols, and (d) air freight services liberalization.  Moreover, cooperation frameworks are now in place for transport infrastructure integration, transport facilitation and competitive air services. 

5.                   To provide the necessary transport infrastructure and logistics in support of the single market and production base under the ASEAN Economic Community (AEC) initiative, we endorsed the Transport Agenda for the Vientiane Action Programme (VAP) 2004-2010 and ASEAN Transport Action Plan 2005-2010 that would further develop integrated, safe and secure regional transport infrastructure and logistics network. To facilitate the development of regional production network, interconnectivity and interoperability among existing and planned infrastructure, modes and logistics will also be strengthened to enable seamless cargo transportation. These policy initiatives will be carried out through 48 strategic activities over the next six years.

6.                   As part of our efforts to enhance the safety of the ASEAN Highway Network, we adopted the Phnom Penh Ministerial Declaration on ASEAN Road Safety and the ASEAN Road Safety Strategy and Action Plan 2005-2010 and agreed to set up a multi-sector working group to coordinate and manage the implementation of the national and regional road safety action plans. We appreciated the Asian Development Bank’s (ADB) support in the preparation of the ASEAN road safety action plans. We also appreciated ADB's readiness to continue its institutional and advisory support to the ASEAN road safety programs, projects and activities under Phase II of the ADB- ASEAN Road Safety Project. It was expected that successful implementation of these action plans could, according to recent studies sponsored by the ADB, save over 40,000 lives and 2 million injuries over the next five years, or about US$ 11 billion in economic terms.

Expanding Cross-Border Transport and Transit Transport Facilitation

7.         We recognized the importance of expanding cross-border transport and transit facilitation in international trade. In this regard, we affirmed the speedy conclusion of the ASEAN Framework Agreement on Multimodal Transport and Protocol 1 on Designation of Transit Transport Routes and Facilities. We agreed to work to promptly conclude and sign the two agreements at the Eleventh ATM in Lao PDR. These agreements will facilitate the expansion of intra-ASEAN trade as well as provide greater access to the global markets.

Promoting a More Liberal and Competitive ASEAN Aviation Market

8.       We adopted the Action Plan for ASEAN Air Transport Integration and Liberalization 2005-2015 which provides strategic actions to further liberalize air services in ASEAN and promote an enabling environment for a single and unified air transport market in ASEAN. In line with the 2003 Bali Concord II which aims to achieve integration of the eleven priority sectors, including air travel, by 2010, we also endorsed the Roadmap for Integration of Air Travel Sector. The Roadmap sets specific actions and milestones for greater integration and liberalization of ASEAN air freight and passenger services. It will be formalized later this month at the Tenth ASEAN Summit in Vientiane, Lao PDR, together with those of the other priority sectors.

9.         We signed the Protocol to Implement the Fourth Package of Commitments on Air Transport Services under the ASEAN Framework Agreement on Services. The Package opens up further cross-border business opportunities in areas such as Aircraft Leasing without Crew, Aircraft Repair and Maintenance Services, Selling and Marketing of Air Transport Services and Computer Reservation System Services.

10.        We are pleased to note the significant progress made in fostering closer partnerships with a number of our dialogue partners over the past years.  In particular, we had conducted a number of joint projects with China and with Japan to enhance human and institutional capacity in transport security and safety, maritime transport management, sustainable urban transport planning, and transport logistics improvement, among others. We gratefully acknowledged their technical and financial support in the development of a dynamic, secure and safe ASEAN transport industry.

11.        We expressed our appreciation to the Royal Government of Cambodia for the excellent arrangements made and agreed to hold our next meeting in Lao PDR in 2005.

List of Ministers

(i)                   H.E. Pehin Dato Haji Zakaria Sulaiman, Minister of Communications, Brunei Darussalam;

(ii)                 H.E. Mr. Sun Chanthol, Minister of Public Works and Transport, Cambodia;

(iii)                H.E. Mr. M. Hatta Rajasa, Minister of Communications, Indonesia;

(iv)                H.E. Mr. Sommad Pholsena, Deputy Minister of Communication, Transport, Post and Construction, Lao PDR;

(v)                  H.E. Dato' Sri Chan Kong Choy, Minister of Transport, Malaysia;

(vi)                H.E. Maj. Gen. Thein Swe, Minister for Transport, Myanmar;

(vii)               H.E. Mr. Arturo T. Valdez, Undersecretary (Deputy Minister) of Transportation, Philippines;

(viii)             H.E. Mr. Yeo Cheow Tong, Minister for Transport, Singapore;

(ix)               H.E. Mr. Nikorn Chamnong, Deputy Minister of Transport, Thailand;

(x)                 H.E. Mr. Nguyen Tien Sam, Vice Minister of Transport, Viet Nam; and

(xi)               H.E. Mr. Ong Keng Yong, ASEAN Secretary General.