Hanoi (VNA) - Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Pham BinhMinh and Philippine Foreign Secretary Teodoro L. Locsin Jr. have discussed on cooperationbetween the two countries at bilateral and multilateral levels amid thecomplicated developments of the COVID-19 pandemic, during their recent phonetalks.
Minh extended thanks for the Philippines’s effective support and collaborationwith Vietnam – the current ASEAN Chair, especially in fostering cooperation indealing with the pandemic.
He expressed his belief that the two countries and other ASEAN members willsoon overcome challenges to stabilise socio-economic development and acceleratethe process of the ASEAN Community building.
Meanwhile, Locsin spoke highly of the effectiveness of the VietnameseGovernment’s fight against the COVID-19 as well as its initiatives in responseto the pandemic.
The Philippines pledges to continue supporting and coordinating closely withVietnam to fulfil its role as the ASEAN Chair and non-permanent member of theUnited Nations Security Council for the tenure 2020-2021, Locsin affirmed.
Both sides agreed to double efforts in further deepening the Vietnam-Philippinesstrategic partnership across fields, including health, trade, investment, andfood security in the context of the current pandemic.
They also agreed to further strengthen coordination in regional andinternational issues, including the East Sea issue./.