"ASEAN senior officials are preparing a road map with a very clear time line and sequence of what is to be done next. The key challenge now is how to further the process since this matter affects many sectors, not only the foreign affairs ministry," Marty said.
Earlier, Indonesian Ambassador to ASEAN I Gede Ngurah Swajaya said a 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 foreign tourist visits in 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 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, the ASEAN common visa idea has secured general approval but we need time to elaborate on the further steps so it will not violate the law in each member state," he said.
(T.A051/HAJM/H-YH)
Editor: Priyambodo RH
Copyright © ANTARA 2011
