1st ASEM Transport Ministers' Meeting

19 Oct 2009 to 20 Oct 2009
Vilnius, Lithuania

Following the Hanoi Declaration on the Closer ASEM Economic Partnership at the fifth Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM) held in Ha Noi on 8-9 October 2004, ASEM partners committed themselves to fostering a closer ASEM economic partnership including also enhanced cooperation in the field of transport. This dialogue is to bring solid outcomes in facilitating trade between the regions contributing to global economic dialogue.

Effective, safe and secure transport systems are the key tool facilitating trade flows in global markets. Trade flows between Europe and Asia have been rising dramatically. In order to sustain current economic growth, adequate transport policy is of crucial importance. Sharing of experience and identifying mutual interests in the dialogue on transport between Europe and Asia is a very important component of the economic cooperation between ASEM member states. In order to assure successful cooperation within economic pillar, to implement the principles of the HANOI Declaration to further pursue new initiatives relating to the facilitation and promotion of trade and investment, ASEM could provide a platform for transport issues to be discussed.

In this regard, during the eighth Foreign Ministers’ Meeting held in Hamburg (Germany) on 28-29 May 2007 Lithuania introduced its initiative to hold the first-ever ASEM Ministerial Meeting on Cooperation in Transport on 19-20 October 2009.

Objectives

With the perspective of cooperation in transport development the first ASEM Ministerial Meeting on Cooperation in Transport (ASEM TMM) will focus on the following objectives:

1. meeting challenges raised by unprecedented growth of trade and movement of people (regionally and) between Europe and Asia;
2. finding solutions for balancing freight transport flows through the promotion of integrated approach towards the use of different modes of transport (intermodality).

ASEM TMM will address major challenges in Euro-Asian links that business community faces. It is time for transport and logistics to speak and be heard on the global economic dialogue.

Time and Venue

The Ministerial Meeting will be held in Vilnius, Lithuania on 19-20 October 2009.

Participants

Ministers of Transport of ASEM member countries and high officials of relevant international transport organizations are expected to take part in the meeting. Additionally, outside guests and stakeholders will be also invited.

Further information on this event can be found in the official website http://www.asemtransport.org/en/news_55.html