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