Japan hails significance of strengthening ASEAN+3 cooperation against COVID-19

The development of cooperation between ten member states of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and its partners - Japan, China, and the Republic of Korea (RoK) - is significant in coping with COVID-19, the Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs told Vietnam News Agency reporters on April 16.
Japan hails significance of strengthening ASEAN+3 cooperation against COVID-19 ảnh 1Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe attends the online Special ASEAN+3 Summit on COVID-19 (Photo: VNA)

Hanoi (VNA)
-The development of cooperation between ten member states of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and its partners - Japan, China, and the Republic of Korea (RoK) - is significant in coping with COVID-19, the Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs told Vietnam News Agency reporters on April16.
The ministry emphasisedthat enhancing collaboration within ASEAN and the Asian region as a whole is ofgreat importance in curbing the spread of COVID-19, adding that countriesshould freely share experience and information in a timely and transparentmanner.

It also pledged that Japanwill continue to hold its leading role in regional cooperation and connectivityto cope with the pandemic.

While attending theonline Special ASEAN+3 Summit on COVID-19 hosted by Vietnam, as ASEAN Chair2020, on April 14, Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe suggested strengtheningcapacity to cope with infectious diseases, establishing a centre to deal withinfectious diseases, and providing greater economic aid packages.

The ministry said that,in the long term, it is necessary to maintain and strengthen supply chains andinformation networks within ASEAN.

Japan highly evaluated Vietnam’s initiative in organising the Special ASEAN+3 Summit via video conference, it said./.
VNA

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