Da Nang International Airport. Illustrative image (Photo: VNA) Hanoi, (VNA) – Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc on March 19 wroteto leaders of ASEAN countries and New Zealand proposing that the 36th ASEAN Summit, the ASEAN-New Zealand Summit and related meetings, initiallyscheduled for April 8-9 in Vietnam’s Da Nang city, be postponed until the endof June.
In his letter, PM Phuc affirmed that Vietnam has basically completed organizationalwork for the events, but the postponement is necessary in the context of theCOVID-19 epidemic spreading in the region and the world, and being declared apandemic by the World Health Organisation.
The Vietnamese Government leader expressed thanks to the countries forworking together with Vietnam to promote the building of a cohesive andresponsive ASEAN Community.
He affirmed that with resolve and joint efforts, solidarity and mutual compassion,the ASEAN Community will stand firm in the face of challenges, ensure apeaceful life for its people and prosperous development of its membercountries.
Deputy Foreign Minister Nguyen Quoc Dung handed over the PM’s letter tothe Ambassadors of ASEAN countries and New Zealand at a meeting in Hanoi onMarch 19.
The Deputy FM called on ASEAN countries to push ahead with efforts tomaintain cooperation and connection, and promote the spirit of a cohesive andresponsive ASEAN Community in the current difficult period under the impacts ofthe COVID-19 epidemic.
He asked ASEAN member states to continue coordinate closely to mitigatethe epidemic’s negative effects on the process of building the ASEAN Communityas well as on socio-economic situations in member countries.
He informed the ambassadors on measures that Vietnam, as ASEAN Chairthis year, will actively promoted in the time ahead in order to keep the paceof ASEAN working plans and bolster cooperation in preventing and controllingthe epidemic.
On the occasion, representatives from the Foreign Ministry’s ConsularDepartment informed the ASEAN Embassies about Vietnam’s measures to respond tothe COVID-19 epidemic
Ambassadors of ASEAN countries praised Vietnam’s preparations for ASEANevents and its effective response to the epidemic. They expressed support ofthe decision of the ASEAN Chair and pledged to continue working closelywith Vietnam to prepare for the 36th ASEAN Summit./.
VNA
