Hanoi (VNA) – DeputyPrime Minister and Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh, in his capacity as ASEAN 2020Chair, has affirmed that Vietnam will continue working closely with ASEAN memberstates, partners, the World Health Organisation and the international communityin the fight against COVID-19 pandemic.

During an ASEAN-EUministerial teleconference on cooperation in coping with the epidemic on March20, Minh informed participants about ASEAN’s active and timely response to theoutbreak in the spirit of “Cohesive and Responsive” as the theme for the ASEANYear 2020.

ASEAN has shown the highestdetermination to combat the epidemic by issuing the ASEAN Chair’s Statement,and statements of ministers in charge of national defence, economy and tourismon measures to jointly fight COVID-19.

Vietnam also chaired ameeting of the ASEAN Connectivity Coordinating Council to coordinate efforts ofthe bloc, he said, adding that active efforts of the ASEAN Community havebrought about positive results with low rate of deaths compared to otherregions in the world.

In the near future, ASEANwill continue stepping up specific actions and cooperating with partners in theregard, he said.

Minh suggested the EU offertechnical assistance and partner in scientific research on the disease controland treatment, thus mitigating its socio-economic impacts.

ASEAN and EU agreed toenhance the sharing of information and experience, policy consultation,especially in diagnosis, treatment and vaccine production.

Vice-President of the European Commission and HighRepresentative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security PolicyJosep Borrel proposed that ASEAN countries make it easier for EU citizenstravelling in Southeast Asia to return home.

ASEAN member countries also wishedthat the EU would provide treatment for their infected citizens living andworking in Europe./.