RP, NZ ink air services pact

SINGAPORE (via PLDT) — An agreement establishing regular flights between the Philippines and New Zealand was signed here between the two countries on Tuesday evening.

The two countries signed the first bilateral agreement on air services agreement since the establishment of diplomatic relations in 1966.

The Philippines-New Zealand Air Services Agreement (ASA) was signed by Undersecretary of Foreign Affairs Enrique Manalo and Secretary of Foreign Affairs and Trade Simon Murdoch at the sidelines of the 13th ASEAN Summit.

President Arroyo and New Zealand Prime Minister Helen Clark witnessed the signing ceremony.

Under the ASA, air carriers of the Philippines and New Zealand would each be entitled to three  services per week carrying passengers, cargo and mail from one country to the other from and to pre-agreed points.

The ASA is expected to increase visitor arrivals between the two countries, as well as further bolster bilateral trade and investment.

More than 27,000 Filipinos living and working in New Zealand are expected to immediately benefit from the regular and direct flights under the bilateral air services agreement.

The value of Philippine exports to New Zealand increased by 36.52 percent from $38.86 million in 2005 to $53.06 million in 2006. The product groups that comprised the bulk of exports were food products (33.55 percent) and electronics (7.73 percent).

Mrs. Arroyo had a one-on-one meeting with Clark to discuss a range of areas of mutual concern, including tourism, trade and investment, development assistance, and regional issues.

Last January, Clark reportedly raised the alleged human rights violations and political killings in the Philippines with the President during a one-on-one meeting at the sidelines of the ASEAN Summit in Cebu.

Clark said that she was concerned by reports of extra-judicial killings and other human rights abuses in the Philippines.