Deputy Prime Minister, Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh assured that ASEAN meeting schedules in Viet Nam this year remain unchanged. 

Foreign Ministers from 10 ASEAN member States and ASEAN Secretary-General
Lim Jock Hoi to the Special Meeting of ASEAN Coordinating Council (ACC) in Vientiane,
Laos on February 20, 2020. Photo: VGP

Minh made the above statement at the special meeting of ASEAN Coordinating Council (ACC) in Vientiane, Laos on Thursday.

Viet Nam will take measures to ensure the highest safety for delegates participating meetings in the country, the Deputy PM, FM said.

The ACC’s special meeting, initiated by Viet Nam as current ASEAN Chair, aimed to discuss prompt implementation of the Chair’s Statement on the bloc’s collective response to novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak released on February 14.

Addressing the event, Deputy PM, FM Minh called on ASEAN member States to promote cohesive and responsive spirit of the Community and strengthen cooperation among them and between ASEAN and other countries in order to mitigate negative impacts of the epidemic on life of ASEAN citizens as well as development of the member countries.

Viet Nam has quickly responded to the epidemic as evidenced by introduction of effective measures to contain the virus spread, provide medical treatment to COVID-19 patients while trying to maintain economic stability, said Minh, adding that Viet Nam’s efforts have been recognized and appreciated by the World Health Organization.

He suggested ASEAN further enhance joint efforts in the fight against the epidemic through sharing information transparently and coordinating effectively among related agencies at boht national and regional levels.

The member countries should pursue a balanced approach to combating the epidemic and maintaining open economic connectivity policies while upholding responsibilities of the Governments in disseminating precise and timely information related to the epidemic situation and prevention measures to their citizens and member countries.

Right after the meeting, Foreign Ministers of 10 ASEAN member States and Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi attended another special meeting to discuss ways to cope with the COVID-19 epidemic./.