Transportation ministers of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) concluded their meeting in Bali on Thursday with concern over a number of terrorist attacks targeting transportation systems since Sept. 11, 2001.

"We condemn, in the strongest terms possible, such attacks and the targeting of transportation systems to inflict terror on civilians. We are united in our determination to enhance regional cooperation on transportation security," ministers of 21 APEC economies said in their joint statement.

They recognized that transnational organized crimes increasingly pose serious threats to the security and safety of aviation, land and maritime transportation and preservation of environment.

The fourth biennial meeting agreed on the commitment to striving for the highest possible standards of efficiency, safety,security and environmental sustainability for transportation system in the region.

The ministers reiterated support for the continuing implementation of maritime and aviation security measures, such asthe International Ship and Port Facility Security Code (ISPS Code).

They also reaffirmed that a principal aim of APEC cooperation for transportation is trade liberalization and facilitation set byAPEC economic leaders in the Indonesian town of Bogor a decade ago.

The Bogor declaration calls for the achievement of free and open trade and investment in Asia-Pacific by 2010 for developed economies and 2020 for developing economies.

The ministers agreed to develop a roadmap consistent with APEC principles describing the remaining work required for reaching theBogor goals of trade liberalization. The roadmap is expected to complete six months before the next meeting in 2006.

APEC member economies are Australia, Brunei Darussalam, Canada,Chile, China, Hong Kong of China, Indonesia, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Peru, Russia, Singapore, Chinese Taipei, Thailand, the Philippines, the United States and Vietnam.

Source: Xinhua