Transport officials from Southeast Asia (ASEAN) will meet in Hanoi from December 7-11 to step up road links and open transport services among member countries.

The meetings are expected to produce major treaties and agreements to pave the way for the establishment of the ASEAN Economic Community by 2015.

They include the Multilateral Agreement for the Full Liberalization of Passenger Air Services (MAFLPAS) and ASEAN Transit Transportation.

In addition, Japan and South Korea as dialogue countries of ASEAN will approve other deals with the block as ASEAN-Korea Transport Cooperation Agreement, ASEAN-Korea Transport Partnership Work Plan, and an agreement to jointly investigate marine accidents.

The meetings are part of the 28th ASEAN Senior Transport Officials Meeting (STOM 28) that are held twice a year and the 15th annual meeting of ASEAN Transportation Ministers (ATM15).