Basically, all ASEAN member states had agreed that a common ASEAN visa system would benefit them because it would increase the number of tourists visiting each ASEAN member state.
Nusa Dua, Bali (ANTARA News) -ASEAN member states have agreed to finalize a plan for the application of a common ASEAN visa system and formally recommend it in 2012, an Indonesian diplomat said.

"The discourse on a common ASEAN visa system was one of the main topics of a preparatory senior officials meeting (ASEAN SOM) and it will later be further discussed at an ASEAN ministerial meeting," Indonesian Ambassador to ASEAN I Gede Ngurah Swajaya said after attending an ASEAN SOM held ahead of the 19th ASEAN Summit at the Bali Nusa Dua Convention Center on Monday.

The recommendation on the application of a common ASEAN visa system would be issued following an official in-depth study of various relevant matters such as the needed online system, and coordination among ASEAN member states including anticipation of hindrances in the system`s operation or a possible negative impact from it, he said.

Basically, all ASEAN member states had agreed that a common ASEAN visa system would benefit them because it would increase the number of tourists visiting each ASEAN member state, he said.

"A common visa system will encourage the growth of foreign tourists visiting the region but we still have to solve the question of how to minimize the possibility of it having a negative impact, " he said.

The common ASEAN visa discourse emerged at a meeting of ASEAN directors general of immigration and consular affairs from throughout the Southeast Asian region in 2009. But the participants of the meeting saw no urgency in adopting a common ASEAN visa system because it would require the solution of problems in various areas such as of immigration, security, border area management and financing, he said.

Actually, the application of ASEAN common visa had been agreed upon at the ASEAN senior officials meeting and was waiting for a recommendation to be submitted to ASEAN leaders at the 19th ASEAN Summit for approval, he said.

"In principle, ASEAN common visa idea has secured approval but we need time to elaborate on the further steps so it will not violate the law in each member state," he said.(*)

Editor: Heru Purwanto
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