Arroyo arriving in Singapore for ASEAN summit
- Posted by admin on November 18th, 2007 filed in OFW Asia
SINGAPORE (Via PLDT) — President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo is arriving here Sunday to join other Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) heads of state for the 13th ASEAN Summits and Related Summits.
Topping the agenda of the 13th ASEAN Summit and related meetings will be the signing of the ASEAN charter, which will serve as a legal and institutional framework for the regional bloc, as well as a guidepost for future challenges and opportunities.
“The charter reflects the collective determination of all 10-member states to build an ASEAN community and it is expected to transform ASEAN from a loose regional grouping into an effective rule-based organization where commitments are duly implemented and compliance is monitored, and were disputes are settled effectively and peacefully,” Philippine Foreign Affairs Assistant Secretary Luis Cruz said.
Several agreements will also be signed by ASEAN’s leaders.
Among these, said Cruz, are those allowing citizens of member-countries better access to jobs, cheaper products, higher incomes and opportunities to travel within the region visa-free.
These agreements include:
1. The ASEAN Mutual Recognition Agreement on architectural services under which Filipino architects will be allowed to practice their profession in other countries within the region without the need to pass these countries’ architectural or board examinations.
2. The ASEAN Framework Recognition Agreement for the Mutual Recognition of Surveying Qualifications. This agreement would mean licensed Filipino surveyors shall be allowed to practice in ASEAN countries.
3. The Protocol to Implement the Sixth Package of Commitments under the ASEAN Framework Agreements on Services. Thousands of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) stand to benefit from this agreement, which institutes new mechanisms and measures for free access to jobs without the need for working visas anywhere in the region.
4. The Visit ASEAN campaign and the private sector-led ASEAN Hip-Hop Pass to promote intra-ASEAN tourism. The Philippine stands to benefit most from this agreement because of the variety of choices it offers to vacation-hungry and moneyed tourists from ASEAN member-countries.
source : INQUIRER.net http://www.inquirer.net
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