Hanoi (VNA) - Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc held phone talks with hisJapanese counterpart Abe Shinzo on May 4, during which they exchanged views onthe prevention and control of COVID-19 in their respective countries, andagreed to work closely together to overcome the pandemic.
PM Phuc said with a high determination, strong policies and the people'support,Vietnam has basically controlled the COVID-19 and gradually normalised socio-economicactivities.
He thanked the Japanese Government for providing Vietnam with more than 1.8million USD through international organisations to combat the pandemic. He alsoannounced that Vietnam decided to support Japan’s anti-coronavirus fight with140,000 medical masks.
Prime Minister Abe Shinzo spoke highly of Vietnam's effective COVID-19 responsemeasures and impressive achievements gained in the fight. He expressed his thanksto the Government and people of Vietnam for providing medical supplies andmasks for Japan.
The two sides affirmed to continue to care for and ensure the safety of eachother's citizens during the COVID-19 outbreak. PM Abe Shinzo announced that theJapanese Government has decided to provide 100,000 JPY (935 USD) per person fornot only Japanese but also Vietnamese citizens living and working in Japan.
The two leaders agreed to increase exchanges and cooperation in all areas aswell as encourage and support Japanese enterprises to increase investment inVietnam. Prime Minister Abe Shinzo affirmed that Japan will deliver the secondaid package to help Vietnam deal with the epidemic and promote economic growth.
The two leaders agreed on continued close cooperation at regional andinternational forums.
PrimeMinister Nguyen Xuan Phuc appreciated Japan's initiatives launched at the Special ASEAN Plus Three Summit held on April 14on the establishment of the ASEAN Center for Infectious Diseases and concessionalloans for small- and medium-sized enterprises in the region. He asked Japan to assistthe ASEAN COVID-19 Response Fund and the regional reserves of medical supplies.
Prime Minister Abe Shinzo highly valued Vietnam's important role as the ASEAN Chair2020 and a non-permanent member of the United Nations Security Council for the2020-2021 term. He affirmed that Japan will continue to work closely withVietnam on regional and international issues of mutual interest, and together acceleratethe signing of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) in 2020and effectively implement the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement forTrans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) ./.
