PETALING JAYA: The Arab Civil Aviation Organisation (ACAO) has assured Malaysia of its support to play an important role in the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO).

       Transport Minister Datuk Seri Dr Wee Ka Siong said talks were held with ACAO chairman Capt Haitham Mesto earlier.

       “The close relationship between ACAO and Malaysia is evident, especially in offering technical cooperation programmes, known as the Malaysia Technical Cooperation Programme (MTCP), for five terms (15 years) when Malaysia is part of the ICAO council.

       “We also discussed the sustainability of the civil aviation sector that supports the green initiatives,” he said.

       Dr Wee is in Riyadh to attend the Future Aviation Forum.

       He also held other bilateral discussions with leaders of Serbia, Oman and Sudan.

       Dr Wee said that visa exemption was discussed to strengthen the Malaysia-Serbia aviation sector, and the possibility of a code-sharing collaboration.

       In his Oman meeting, he said that Oman Civil Aviation Authority president Naif Ali Al Abri had expressed interest in adding more flights between the two countries.

       Currently, there are only two-weekly flights between Malaysia and Muscat, Oman.