VN, Japan agree to accelerate establishment of ASEAN Center for infectious diseases control

Deputy Prime Minister, Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh holds phone talks with Japanese Foreign Minister Motegi Toshimitsu on June 1, 2020. Photo: VGP

This is the pair’s second phone conversation over the past two months.

Both sides briefed each other about recent outcomes in the fight against COVID-19 and agreed to work closely together to strengthen bilateral exchanges and economic cooperation.

Minh spoke highly of the Japanese Government’s efforts in containing the pandemic, expressing thanks for the assistance of the Government and people of Japan for Viet Nam’s COVID-19 fight as  well as the financial support for foreign nationals, including Vietnamese students in the Northeast Asian nation.

Meanwhile, Motegi congratulated on Viet Nam’s impressive success against the COVID-19 pandemic, which has also been widely recognized by the global community.

A part from the previously announced assistance, Japan will continue medical supplies to Viet Nam to help curb the COVID-19 pandemic, Motegi said.

He suggested both countries should soon discuss on gradualy resumption of travel, particularly for business managers and experts in order to restart bilateral economic, trade and investment ties.

The two sides agreed to coordinate closely at regional and international forums, including the ASEAN-Mekong mechanism and to accelerate the establishment of an ASEAN Center for the control of infectious diseases initiated by Japanese Prime Minister Abe Shinzo at the Special ASEAN 3 Summit on COVID-19 held in April 14 this year./.

By Huong Giang