US, Thailand sign cargo agreement

US, Thailand sign cargo agreement

BANGKOK: The United States and Thailand on Saturday signed an open-skies cargo transport agreement allowing unrestricted expansion of air routes that officials say will significantly boost two-way cargo traffic.

Thai Foreign Minister Surakiart Sathirathai, who inked the pact with U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell, said it would "move us forward toward greater economic cooperation and will help enhance trade between both countries both in traded goods and also in services."

Powell said the agreement was among several signed by the two countries, who Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra has said will soon announce their intention to negotiate a bilateral free- trade agreement.

"I think all of these agreements reflect the closeness of our relationship and how much we are able (to do) together," Powell told reporters.

The pact, one of more than 60 open-skies agreements signed by the United States, does not include passenger flights but gives Thai and U.S. air carriers "maximum freedom and flexibility" to provide cargo transportation services in a way that meets the needs of the marketplace.-- AFP