Expert: Vietnam has done a commendable job on ASEAN special meetings

TIN LIÊN QUAN
	Joint Statement of Special ASEAN Plus Three Summit on Coronavirus Disease 2019
	Declaration of Special ASEAN Summit on Coronavirus Disease 2019

Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc chairs the Special ASEAN Summit on COVID-19, April 14, 2020. (Photo: VGP)

Evaluating the importance and outcome of the special ASEAN Summit and ASEAN Plus Three Summit on April 14th, he believed that the special ASEAN Summit and ASEAN Plus Three Summit have sent three key messages. First, there is a high political commitment among the regional leaders in tackling the pandemic crisis in a holistic manner.

Second, regional policy coordination needs to be enhanced, especially on knowledge and information exchanges, the guarantee of open international supply chains especially in medical supplies and other essential goods.

Third, there is a financial commitment to support the creation of the ASEAN Respond Fund to the pandemic disease. This fund is also essential to mitigate the impacts of the crisis.

Related to Cambodian Prime Minister Samdech Hun Sen’s impressive remarks at the Summits and the country’s priorities in this year's ASEAN Agenda, Dr. Vannarith stated that ASEAN is the cornerstone of Cambodia's foreign policy.

Due to its limited resources, Cambodia can only contribute to regional community building through political commitment, foreign policy coordination, and contribution of ideas and policy inputs to regional response to regional issues including the unfolding pandemic crisis. Cambodia has shared its experiences in fighting against the pandemic, promised to take all necessary measures to support other ASEAN members to mitigate the impacts and risks stemming from COVID-19 disease.

Specifically, when asked, Dr. Chheang Vannarith was impressed with Vietnam’s Chairmanship in this challenging year.

Vietnam, as the chair of ASEAN this year, has done a commendable job in coordinating special meetings. Although virtual meetings are not suitable for personal friendship cultivation and trust-building, they are still important platforms for information sharing and policy coordination. ASEAN might need to adapt to changes and new realities and take further steps and measures to prepare for future crisis. He believed "Cohesive and Responsive ASEAN" serve well the interests of its member states and dialogue partners. However, ASEAN needs to deliver more concrete results and the ASEAN Secretariat needs to be further empowered especially in responding to crisis or disasters.

Prime Minister talks on outcomes of Special ASEAN, ASEAN+3 Summits on COVID-19 Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc granted an interview on the outcomes of the Special ASEAN and ASEAN+3 Summits on Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19).

Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc welcomes leaders to Special ASEAN+3 Summit on COVID-19 Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc, Chair of ASEAN 2020, presides over the Special ASEAN+3 Summit on COVID-19 this afternoon.

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