At the virtual Special ASEAN Economic Minister (AEM) Plus Three consultations on June 4 (Photo: VNA) Hanoi (VNA) - Economic ministers from ASEANmember nations and the three partners of China, Japan, and the Republic ofKorea (known as ASEAN+3) adopted a joint statement on June 4 on mitigating theeconomic impact of COVID-19.
The joint statement was the outcome of the virtual SpecialASEAN Economic Minister (AEM) Plus Three consultations on the same day toimplement instructions from ASEAN+3 leaders made at the Special ASEAN+3 Summiton COVID-19 on April 14.
The meeting was chaired by Tran Tuan Anh, Minister ofIndustry and Trade, as Vietnam holds the ASEAN Chairmanship in 2020.
The joint statement puts forward measures to restrainthe application of unnecessary moves that may affect the flow of essentialgoods, medicine, and medical supplies in the region.
Non-tariff barriers on the flow of goods and servicesin supply chains will be further removed, but restriction measures will remain inplace to tackle COVID-19.
Of note, the ministers encouraged the building ofguidelines that allow for the movement of business people through borders,without harming efforts to curb the spread of SARS-CoV-2.
Efforts to optimise the ASEAN+3 Emergency Rice Reserveand seek the development of another reserve on essential medical supplies were alsohigh on the agenda.
They also vowed to support and allow businesses,especially micro-, small- and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs), to capitalise ontechnology and digital trade as well as to bolster customs cooperation tofacilitate customs clearance at border gates.
The countries agreed to continue devising the ASEAN+3Action Plan with more detailed measures in order to realise the joint statement.
The adoption of the joint statement and preparationfor the ASEAN+3 Action Plan demonstrate the solidarity and cooperation betweenASEAN members and the three partners, in a “Cohesive and Responsive” spirit andin a broad effort to cope with COVID-19 while standing ready to face other challengesin the time to come./.
