News

2nd "FRIENDS' GROUP" MEETING
9-10 March 2009
Beijing

As it had been agreed at the 1st "Friends' Group" meeting, the 2nd meeting was kindly hosted by the Chinese Ministry of Transport and took place on 9-10 March 2009. Representatives of China, European Commission, Germany, Lithuania, Poland and Singapore gathered together in Beijing to further discuss issues for the preparation of the 1st ASEM Transport Ministers' Meeting (ASEM TMM).

Chaired by China and Lithuania, the "Friends' Group" analysed draft programme of ASEM TMM. It was agreed that during the first day Ministers will discuss the Common Vision, Challenges and Priority Policies of ASEM Transport Agenda. A number of key presentations by cosponsor Ministers will be followed by speeches of other participating ASEM Transport Ministers. On the next day, participants will be divided into too parallel sessions one of them dedicated to maritime and intermodal transport, the other will deal with civil aviation. It is very important that Asia and Europe would be properly represented during the meeting, therefore two Ministers or other high officials from each continent will be nominated to chair the sessions. Moreover, the "Friends' Group" has decided on the motto of the meeting: "ASIA EUROPE CONNECT", which distinctly demonstrates the readiness of decision makers to launch a more active cooperation in transport area between Asia and Europe.

The "Friends' Group" worked out the issue of the outcome documents. As agreed before, Chairman‘s Statement and Vilnius Declaration will be delivered after ASEM TMM. The in-depth discussion took place on Vilnius Declaration, the draft of which was presented by Lithuania. Every participating country's suggestions were adopted and a new draft document was prepared, which will be discussed with every ASEM member country respectfully. The draft Chairman's Statement will be presented during the 3rd "Friends' Group" meeting.

The progress in organising the Asia-Europe Transport Development Forum (TDF), which will take place in parallel with the ASEM TMM on 19 October 2009, was also on agenda of the "Friends' Group". UNESCAP, UNECE, WB and ADB were invited by China and Lithuania to become partners to this Forum. The draft programme has been developed and a number of confirmations of speakers received. More information about the TDF is available on this website.

The "Friends' Group" agreed to meet again in Lithuania in June 2009.