VN proposes ASEAN nations join hands in tackling nCoV

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

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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 highly valued Indonesia for its prompt measures to prevent the epidemic as there has been no case positive for the coronavirus in the country so far. 

The two leaders agreed that ASEAN nations should proactively coordinate in line with the spirit of the 2020 ASEAN theme “Cohesive and Responsive”, to seek for common measures and share responsibilities in combating the epidemic.

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

According to PM Phuc, Deputy Prime Minister, Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh, who is the Chairman of ASEAN Coordinating Council, sent letters to ASEAN countries to express the spirit of coordination and joint action of the Association in preventing and controlling the epidemic. 

Viet Nam had suggested ASEAN set up the Ministerial-level joint working group with the participation of agencies in charge of transport, immigration, border control and consul, said Phuc, adding that online meetings will be held to share information and coordinate actions of ASEAN member countries, showing the solidarity of ASEAN. 

Joko Widodo consented with 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 consular assistance for ASEAN citizens affected by the epidemic, especially ones stuck in the epidemic region. 

By Thuy Dung