Transport ministers from ASEAN member nations on December 19 gatheredfor their 19th meeting in Champasak province, Laos .
The Vietnamese delegation to the event was led by Minister of Transport Dinh La Thang.
Speaking at the opening ceremony, Lao Prime Minister ThongsinhThammavong said he believes that the meeting will help create linksbetween the regional countries, thus promoting cooperation in thetransport field, towards establishing an ASEAN Economic Community by2015.
The meeting reviewed the implementation of recentcooperation programmes, technical projects and agreements among thecountries, and mapped out plans for cooperation in the field in 2014 andsubsequent years.
Participants committed to building aneffective, safe and connected transport system to promote futureeconomic connectivity in the region.
The meeting approved theAir Transport Economic Cooperation (ATEC) plan for the 2014-2015 periodto promote the development of regional aviation links and further speedup goods and people transportation across borders.
Thereinforcement of cooperation in marine transport to promote marineservices in the bloc was also deliberated at the meeting.
Participants also strongly advocated the initiative to organise ameeting on health and safety at seaports in shifts in the membernations.
The meeting reviewed transport cooperation betweenASEAN and its dialogue countries including China , the Republic ofKorea and Japan, as well as between the bloc, Germany and theEuropean Union in using energy effectively and climate change responsein road projects.
The 20 th ASEAN Transport Ministers’ Meeting will be held in Myanmar in 2014.-VNA
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