Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc suggested ASEAN nations join hands in coping with the novel coronavirus (nCoV) epidemic  during his phone call with Indonesian President Joko Widodo on February 4.

Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc holds a phone talk with Indonesian President
Joko Widodo about cooperation between ASEAN nations in coping with the novel
coronavirus (nCoV) epidemic, February 4, 2020 - Photo: VGP

 The Indonesian President spoke highly of the Vietnamese Government’s prompt and synchronous measures to prevent and control the spread of the disease, expressing his belief that under the close direction of PM Phuc and the proven capacity of the health sector, Viet Nam is totally capable of preventing the epidemic. 

Meanwhile, Phuc highly appraised Indonesia for its prompt measures to prevent the epidemic as there has been no case positive with coronavirus in the country. 

The two leaders agreed that ASEAN nations should actively join hands and monitor activities of each nation in the spirit of “Cohesive and Responsive”, which is also the theme of ASEAN 2020, aiming to seek for common measures and share responsibilities in struggling against the epidemic in the region. 

ASEAN members have experience in responding to SARS in 2013, thus continuing upholding the activeness in coping with nCoV, they added. 

Deputy Prime Minister, Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh, as the Chairman of ASEAN Coordinating Council, sent letters to ASEAN countries to manifest the spirit for joint coordination in preventing and controlling the epidemic. 

Viet Nam has proposed ASEAN set up the Ministerial-level working group with the participation of agencies in charge of transport, exports-imports, border control and consul, said Phuc, adding that a teleconference will be held to share information and monitor activities of ASEAN members, showing the solidarity of ASEAN. 

Joko Widodo consented and highly appraised initiative of the Vietnamese leader. 

Both sides were unanimous in strengthening coordination not only within ASEAN but also between ASEAN and China, including supporting consul for ASEAN citizens suffering from the epidemic, especially ones stuck in the epidemic region.