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Today, the European Union (EU) Asean countries have agreed on a landmark aviation agreement that will allow enhanced flight connectivity between the two regions.
The new EU-Asean Air Transport Agreement will enable airlines from the 37 member countries within Asean and the European Union to fly any number of services between both regions.
The member countries will also be able to fly up to 14 weekly passenger services, and any number of cargo services via and beyond to any third country.
Singapore's Ministry of Transport (MOT), that expects improved air connectivity between Asean and Europe, termed the agreement as the first region-to-region aviation agreement in the world.
"This will help support economic development in both regions as we work towards recovery from the Covid-19 pandemic," said MOT.
"In addition to air services liberalisation, the (agreement) provides for cooperation between Asean and the EU in areas such as aviation safety, air traffic management, consumer protection, and environmental and social issues."
Attempt is seven years old , as the agreement was initiated in February 2014 at an aviation summit between EU and Asean in Singapore.
There were around eight rounds of negotiations starting in October 2016 before the agreement could be inked, where Singapore led the negotiations for Asean, while the European Commission represented the EU.
"The successful conclusion of the Asean-EU Comprehensive Air Transport Agreement is a historic achievement and a milestone in our bilateral ties.Said Singapore's Transport Minister S. Iswaran.
"It is the first such region-to-region agreement and a statement of commitment by Asean and EU member states to work together to tide over the current Covid-19 crisis, reconnect, and resume cross-border travel."
