ASEM Transport Ministers’ Meeting 2009

ASEM Transport Ministers' Meeting

The ASEM Transport Ministers‘ Meeting (ASEM TMM) is an integrated element of the ASEM process.

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

The initiative to hold the first-ever ASEM Transport Ministers' Meeting derived from the strong imperative to develop balanced and sustainable transcontinental transport system - the gap to be bridged in a minister-level meeting. Lithuania introduced the initiative at the eighth Foreign Ministers' Meeting in Hamburg (Germany), 2007, as well as at the seventh ASEM Summit in Beijing (China), 2008. The initiative was highly welcomed by ASEM countries.

The new framework for cooperation opens a new perspective in facilitating trade flows in global markets by the development of effective, safe and secure transport systems. 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. To assure successful cooperation under the 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 provides a platform for transport issues to be discussed.

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

creating a common vision for Asia and Europe in the field of transport;

meeting challenges occuring in trading between Europe and Asia;

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 governments and business community faces. It is time for transport and logistics to speak out and be heard on the global economic dialogue.

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

Participants
Ministers of Transport of ASEM member countries.