CITIZENS
from Asean countries will no longer require a visa to travel to member countries
for a social visit of up to 14 days.
Asean foreign ministers, including from
Myanmar, signed the Asean Framework Agreement on Visa Exemption yesterday to facilitate
intra-Asean travel and boost the tourism sector, people-to-people linkages and
economic development among member countries.
However, according to the framework,
the agreement will not affect the implementation of existing bilateral protocols/arrangements
and the respective laws and regulations on visa exemption between member countries.
The agreement will be enforced once ratification or approvals are made. Member
countries are expected to negotiate with Myanmar on the visa-free facility for
those with ordinary passports. Currently, only Thailand and the Philippines have
done so.
Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Syed Hamid Albar said the agreement was
part of Asean community building and Myanmar was bound by it.
All Asean countries
have signed the agreement and, therefore, all duties and exemptions will apply
to all the countries, he added.(News extract
from The Star Newspaper dated 26 July 2006) |
