Indonesia successfully held the 4th Asia-Europe MeetingTransport Ministers’ Meeting (ASEM TMM4) in Bali on 26-28 September 2017. With the theme “Bridging an Integrated Transport Connectivity of Asia and Europe through Synergizing Regional Strategic Plans” the Transport Ministers of ASEM have successfully agreed on a strategic measures to enhance, expand and modernize Asia and European connectivity cooperation, both on land, sea and air.
As Chair of the meeting, Indonesia has played an important role in ASEM TMM4 through the acceptance of Indonesia’s proposal on the importance of joint efforts to develop connectivity cooperation in the maritime sector in Asia and Europe. The concept of World Maritime Axis echoed by Indonesia has also received positive responses from ASEM partners. The delegates have conveyed their appreciation for the leadership of Indonesia for successfully uniting all interests in ASEM TMM4.
Some important outcomes agreed in the Bali Declaration and in the interest of Indonesia are to include and empower the participation of the private sector in the development and cooperation of the transportation sector, as well as the effort to address cargo transport imbalances in Asia and Europe via land and sea.
The successful implementation of ASEM TMM4 has proven the full commitment and attention provided by both Indonesia and ASEM Partners to strengthen Asian and European connectivity. When closing the ASEM TMM4 meeting, the Minister of Transportation, supported by all ASEM partners, agreed to follow up on the results contained in the Bali Declaration.
The Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM) is an informal dialogue process between Asian and European countries that was formed in Bangkok in 1996. ASEM has grown to have 53 members: 10 ASEAN member countries, 28 EU member countries, Australia, Bangladesh, India, Japan, Kazakhstan, Republic of Korea, Mongolia, Norway, Pakistan, China, Russia, New Zealand, Switzerland, ASEAN Secretariat, and European Commission.