Transportation (DOTr) Secretary Jaime J. Bautista signed the world’s first inter-region aviation cooperation deals at the 28th ASEAN Transport Ministers Meeting in Bali, Indonesia.
These are the ASEAN-EU Comprehensive Air Transport Agreement (CATA) and the ASEAN Agreement on Aeronautical and Maritime Search and Rescue (SAR) Cooperation meant to strengthen connectivity and rebuild the economy of South East Asia.
“As a key player in the transport affairs of the Southeast Asian region, the Republic of the Philippines is supportive and is one with the other partner nations in pushing for agreements and areas of partnership that will further develop the region’s transportation potentials,” Bautista said during the signing ceremony Monday, Oct. 17.

The ASEAN-EU CATA “is the world’s first bloc-to-bloc air transport agreement” aimed at reinforcing connectivity and post-pandemic economic recovery of the 37-member states of the ASEAN and EU, the DOTr Secretary reiterated.
“This agreement will prove to be a game-changer as both ASEAN and EU countries slowly recover and rebuild from the effects of the pandemic," he stressed.
They will have a "profound impact in the areas of trade and tourism for ASEAN and the EU".
Furthermore, the ASEAN-EU CATA will rebuild air connectivity between ASEAN and Europe which was suddenly suspended by the pandemic," the DOTr Secretary added.
In addition, the Philippines stands to gain from the “information exchange and sharing of best practices” in the ASEAN Agreement on Aeronautical and Maritime SAR Cooperation.
The country is also one with the other partner nations in adopting several guidelines “in the areas of aviation safety, air traffic management, consumer protection, and environmental and social matters,” according to Secretary Bautista.
The ASEAN Transport Ministers Meeting provides an annual platform for the region's highest transport body to discuss priorities and initiatives for cooperation within the region and with dialogue partners.