Jakarta (VNA) – The Committee of Permanent Representatives to ASEAN (CPR) and the Pacific Alliance (PA), a regional integration initiative comprising Chile, Colombia, Mexico and Peru, have met via video-conference to further strengthen relations between the two organisations.

Both sides had an exchange of views on a broad range of issues, including collective efforts to combat the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as efforts to deal with its negative impact on the global economy.

The ASEAN side highlighted efforts to combat the pandemic in the region and measures currently underway and under consultation with regard to the post-pandemic economic recovery. It also briefed the PA on developments of ASEAN Community building under the chairmanship of Vietnam this year.

The PA side said that since March, it has been working on a COVID-19 Action Plan to face the economic and trade effects of this worldwide pandemic. This plan includes the exchange of information on all measures being taken against the pandemic, the trade facilitation through the acceptance of digitised certificates required for trade, a list of sensitive products in times of pandemic for a PA Supply Chain, and SMEs support in issues such as e-Commerce, among others.

The meeting noted the recent developments in ASEAN and the PA, including the outcomes of the 53rd ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Meeting, the 36th ASEAN Summit and related meetings.

The two sides recognised the benefit of continuing to enhance economic ties and agreed to explore further cooperation through the development of a new ASEAN-PA Work Plan (2021-2023) to encompass areas such as the 4th Industrial Revolution; trade and investment, connectivities; Micro, Small and Medium Entreprises (MSMEs); education; science, technology and innovation, digital economy; and sustainable development./.
VNA