The Philippines and Australia on Wednesday signed an Air Services Agreement (ASA), which will pave the way for increased trade and better air transport services between the two countries.

Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert del Rosario signed for the Philippine side while Minister for Trade and Competitiveness Craig Emerson signed for the Australian side. President Benigno Aquino 3rd and Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard witnessed the signing of the ASA.

The agreement intends to promote an international aviation system and encourage international airlines to develop and implement innovative and competitive services. It also aims to ensure security in international air transport, particularly the security of aircrafts of the two countries’ air services.

In an interview in Canberra aired over Radyo ng Bayan, Strategic Communications Secretary Ramon “Ricky” Carandang said that the ASA “allows our two aviation authorities to work out details for [development in expansion plans],” Carandang said.

He also said that both countries agreed to resume their talks on additional flights between them in February 2013. The last negotiations were held on August 28 and 29.

The talks were halted after Australia disagreed on the fifth freedom rights proposal of the Philippines. However, the Australian government was still amenable to granting Manila additional 3,000 seat entitlements a week once the Philippine government fully used the existing 6,000 seat entitlements a week.

Currently, the Philippine Airlines (PAL) uses 2,590 seats, and Cebu Pacific has yet to utilize its 1,260-seat entitlements a week. Also, less than half of the 6,000 seat entitlements of PAL to Australian destinations are being utilized.

Aquino’s visit
Aquino’s visit to Australia aims to strengthen the political, defense and economic ties between Philippines and Australia.

“We are in Australia to improve our bilateral relations both in defense and investment trade. We also have a significant number of Filipinos there. So certainly, it’s a good opportunity for us to touch base with our Australian counterparts,” Palace spokesman Edwin Lacierda said.

Earlier, Aquino said that the Philippines is offering Australia a strategic partnership. At present, the Philippines’ top strategic partners are the United States of America and Japan.

Aquino arrived at 12 midnight (Australia time) at the Defense Establishment Fairbairn in Canberra. He was welcomed by Philippine Ambassador to the Commonwealth of Australia Belen Anota, Assistant Secretary Frank Leverett of the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet Ceremonial and Hospitality Branch of Australia, and other officials of the Philippine embassy.

Aquino was also given a ceremonial welcome by Australia Governor-General Quentin Bryce.

Among the members of the delegation are Carandang, del Rosario, Finance Secretary Cesar Purisima, Trade Secretary Gregory Domingo, Agriculture Secretary Proceso Alcala, Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin, Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Arsenio Balisacan, and business executives.