Brighter future seen with ASEAN charter

The writing of a charter to create a closely-knit regional bloc similar to the European Union and to jointly combat terrorism and cross-border crimes and establish a free trade zone by 2015, are the agreements reached by the leaders of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations according to a draft obtained by The Associated Press.

The statement which will be released upon the culmination of the summit will include an agreement on counter-terrorism, protection of migrant workers -- a major issue in the region; increase in energy security, intensified fight against poverty and AIDS and a vow to create an "ASEAN Economic Community" with a free flow of goods, services, investment and capital by 2015.

Saying that regional partnerships are vital to ensuring that everyone benefits from globalization, Foreign Affairs Secretary Alberto G. Romulo called for a closer cooperation between ASEAN and China through the establishment of the ASEAN–China Center on the Promotion of Trade, Investment and Tourism.

He said that "people disadvantaged by economic factors beyond their control should not be forgotten. Managing the social impact of globalization and closing development gaps are crucial in this regard."

"The Philippines, therefore, seeks to conclude an MOU to establish the proposed ASEAN–China Center on the Promotion of Trade, Investment and Tourism by the 40th ASEAN Ministerial Meeting (AMM) in July this year in Manila," Romulo told the Foreign Ministers of ASEAN and China.
Similarly, Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process in Mindanao, Sec. Jesus Dureza, in an interview at the 3rd BIMP-EAGA Summit at Shangri-La Mactan Resort and Spa in Lapu-lapu City, disclosed that the governments of Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia and the Philippines agreed to expand the air linkages within the BIMP East Asia Growth Area as well as to sell the area as one eco-tourism destination.

To spur tourism and trade, the BIMP foreign and transportation ministries and secretaries had signed a Memorandum of Understanding on Expansion of Air Linkages which designates 7 major international airports -- Bandar Seri Begawan in Brunei Darussalam, Pontianak and Balikpapan in Indonesia, Kota Kinabalu and Kuching in Malaysia and Davao and Zamboanga in the Philippines to be granted fifth freedom traffic rights.

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

President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo said, “the future for the region looks brighter,” as the summit sets to undertake key goals. (PIA)