Malaysia reiterates readiness to sign CATA - Hishammuddin

Reiterating Malaysia’s position on the matter in his intervention at the 23rd ASEAN-EU Ministerial meeting, he, however, said the decision was made with the understanding that it would be allowed to ratify it at the later stage when it is ready to implement the obligations under the agreement.

“We look forward to the conclusion of the negotiations with the EU on this important inter-regional air transport agreement in the near future,” he said in the meeting on Tuesday.

The meeting, held virtually due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, was chaired by Singapore’s Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishnan, and also attended by EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and Vice-President of the European Commission, Josep Borrell Fontelles.

The meeting was attended in full by all 10 ASEAN Foreign Ministers, along with all 27 Foreign Ministers of the EU.

The ASEAN-EU Comprehensive Air Transport Agreement (CATA) will be the first ever bloc-to-bloc agreement aimed at enhancing air connectivity between and beyond ASEAN and the EU when it comes into effect.

Hishammuddin said in view of the COVID-19 pandemic which has significantly wounded the global economy, ASEAN and EU must also redouble the efforts and make steady and significant progress in developing the framework of parameters of ASEAN-EU Free Trade Agreement.

He had also called on ASEAN and EU to work together in addressing issues of extremism in all forms by understanding the root causes that bring about such problems, and explore sustainable and workable solutions that can effectively counter the spread and influence of extreme ideologies.

He said Malaysia is concerned by the unsettled politics in the regional and international stage and flourishing of hate and divide which has made the world more volatile than before, stressing that extremism and hate speech in all its forms and manifestations should not be tolerated or condoned as it would lead to the disintegration of societies.

“Notwithstanding our national efforts, being preoccupied and focused on recovering from the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, I am confident that a great majority of our people, both from ASEAN and the EU, cannot afford to and must not, lose sight of our main priority which is for peace to prevail in the world.

“We must do our part to promote peace, stability and prosperity – not allowing extremism and hate speech to succeed and thrive, disharmonising our societies,” he added.