The members of the Committee on Foreign Affairs in the National Assembly on June 27, 2013, examined the bill to authorize the President of the Republic to ratify the Bilateral Air Transport Agreement signed between the Government of the Republic of Cameroon and the Government of the Republic of Turkey in Ankara on 19 October 2012.
They were also programmed to examine another bill to authorize the President of the Republic to ratify the Central African Convention for the Control of small arms, light weapons, their ammunition and all parts and components that can be used for the their manufacture, repair and assembly, adopted in Kinshasa on 30 April 2010.
Air Transport Agreement
The Minister of Transport, Robert Nkili accompanied by the External Relations Minister, Pierre Moukoko Mbonjo defended Cameroon-Turkey Air Transport Agreement bill in the presence of the Vice Prime Minister, Minister Delegate at the Presidency in charge of Relations with the Assemblies, Amadou Ali. The Agreement was signed following the visit of Turkey's President to Cameroon. Government in the bill states that, "The Agreement liberalises air services between Cameroon and Turkey and lays down the rules that should henceforth govern the operation of this air route which has a significant goods and passenger transport potential."
The Agreement in its 22 articles deals mainly with civil aviation safety and security, as well as procedures for designating and authorizing air service companies. It also provides the domestic instruments of the Contracting Parties with the possibility of sharing codes with third party companies, helping Cameroon to further open up to the world.
Convention on Small Arms
Government explains that the purpose of the Central African Convention for control of small arms, light weapons, their ammunition and all parts and components that can be used for their manufacture, repair and assembly is to combat and eradicate the illicit trade and trafficking in the sector. The Convention helps to strengthen the control in Central Africa, of the manufacture, trade, movement, transfer, possession and use of small arms and light weapons and also supports States to combat armed violence caused by light-weapons related activities. The ratification of the bill, government said, will enable Cameroon to strengthen its existing legal framework to better prevent and combat all forms of allied criminal activities.
