Deputy Prime Minister, Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh, on behalf of Vietnam’s 2020 ASEAN Chairmanship, joined other ASEAN foreign ministers and the US Secretary of State Michael Pompeo to exchange views on the Covid-19 situation as well as discuss experiences, strategies and partnerships in fighting the pandemic.

Vietnam's Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh discusses with his ASEAN and US counterparts at the Special ASEAN-US Foreign Ministers' Meeting on Covid-19 on Thursday.

Foreign ministers agreed on information exchange, capability improvement and policy cooperation as critical solutions to respond to medical emergencies in the future.

They also made commitments to support each other’s citizens who are affected by the disease and coordinate actions to minimise socio-economic impacts caused by outbreaks.

The two sides also stated to take efforts to stablise markets, maintain the global and regional supply chains, especially for essential goods, as well as exchange mechanisms to recover economies via incentives of ASEAN-USAID Partnership for Regional Optimisation within the Political-Security and Socio-Cultural Communities (PROSPECT) and Inclusive Growth in ASEAN through Innovation, Trade and E-Commerce (IGNITE).

Referring to the regional and international situation, the meeting emphasised that in the context that countries are focusing their efforts and resources on the fight against epidemics, it is necessary to maintain the regional order based on laws and regulations, ensure peace, stability, security and rule of law in the region. Foreign ministers said, more than ever, countries need to increase confidence and transparency, avoiding any activities that complicate the situation.

Deputy PM Minh presented measures carried out by the Vietnamese Government and positive outcomes in preventing and controlling the pandemic in the country, adding Vietnam would keep collaborating with other the international community including the US and World Health Organisation in pushing back Covid-19.

He also asked the US for support in terms of technology, research and treatment, at the same time, ensure rights and equality of ASEAN citizens living in the US.

Singapore’s Foreign Minister Balakrishnan emphasised the significance of working with ASEAN and Dialogue Partners to ensure the openness of trade lines and supply chains, especially for medical supplies and food.

Maintaining open trade would help ASEAN countries’ economies recover quicker post virus, he said.

Responding to his ASEAN counterparts, Secretary Pompeo expressed high appreciation toward ASEAN for their valuable support in promoting the continued flow of vital medical supplies into the United States.

According to Pompeo, the US will deploy all available measures to minimise damage of the pandemic and restore global growth.

He also expressed concern over aggressive activities of China in the South China Sea (known as East Sea in Viet Nam) and called for regional collaboration in maintaining peace and stability.

“We commit to continue to build for the future based upon the tried and true principles that we share – ASEAN centrality, openness, transparency, a rules-based framework, good governance, and respect for sovereignty,” the secretary added.

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Source: VNS