Speaker of Singaporean Parliament Tan Chuan-Jin (C) calls for stronger intra-ASEAN cooperation in COVID-19 fight (Photo: VNA) Singapore (VNA) - Speaker of the Singaporean Parliament Tan Chuan-Jincalled for a coordinated and well-calibrated approach to regional challengesand stressed the importance of strengthening existing intra-ASEAN cooperationefforts to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic.
During his speech at the virtual 41stGeneral Assembly of the ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Assembly (AIPA 41), which was chaired by VietnameseNational Assembly Chairwoman Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan from September 8-10, theSingaporean leader stressed that ASEAN member nations need to use platformslike AIPA, to foster greater cooperationand building mutual understanding, trust and confidence, thus weatheringthe COVID-19 storm together.
He called on regional countries to prepare for a new normal period followingthe pandemic, and continue to enhance their cooperation in areas of common interestsuch as cyber security and developing smart cities, as well as longer-standing ones like stopping trans-boundary crimeand tackling climate change.
This will ensure that ASEAN remains resilientand relevant in the decades to come, the Speaker stressed.
He highlighted the significance of the theme “Parliamentary Diplomacy for aCohesive and Responsive ASEAN Community” decided by Vietnam, saying that thisshows that the group need to harmoniously coordinate to effectively and promptlycope with the health crisis.
ASEAN member countries should to work closely together and with its partners tomaintain their responsive ability in order protect people's lives, he added.
The Speaker took the occasion to thank Vietnamese NA Chairwoman Nguyen Thi KimNgan for hosting the event, and congratulated Vietnam on its role as the ASEANChair at a challenging time like today./.
VNA
