Vietnamese Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs To Anh Dung (Photo: VNA)
Hanoi (VNA) – Vietnamese Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs To Anh Dung on April 16 held phone talks with Ministerof State at the UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office Nigel Adams todiscuss cooperation in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic and promote bilateral ties.
Dung informed the British official about measures undertaken by Vietnam and affirmed the Vietnamese Government’sdetermination to control the pandemic, thus ensuring the safety of Vietnamese citizens aswell as foreign nationals working and living in the country.
Vietnam stands readyto share its information and experience with the UK in the fight against COVID-19, he said.
Dung also expressed his wish that the UK would share its experience and research regarding COVID-19 treatment to help Vietnam improve its community healthcare capacity, thus joining hands to driveback the global pandemic.
He proposed the UK offer medical support and favourable conditions to Vietnamese citizensliving and working in the UK during the period of pandemic.
Adams, for his part, congratulatedVietnam on successfully holding the online Special ASEAN Summit and SpecialASEAN 3 Summit on COVID-19, which he said, reflected the country’sactive and proactive role in its capacity as ASEAN Chair 2020.
Speaking highly ofVietnam’s achievements in the fight against COVID-19, he wished that bothcountries would share information and enhance cooperation in the field withinbilateral and multilateral frameworks, uphold their voices, especiallywhen Vietnam assumes important roles in ASEAN and the UN Security Council, in a bid to push forward international coordination in the tough fight.
Adams expressed hisappreciation for the Vietnamese Government’s donation of 110,000anti-bacterial cloth masks to the UK, as well as arrangement of the flight carrying British citizens home safely.
As the two nations willcelebrate the 10th anniversary of the bilateral strategic partnership this year, thetwo officials pledged to further improve the efficiency of existing cooperationmechanisms and step up bilateral ties in the fields of politics, economy, security,national defence, education and culture.
They also vowed to workclosely together at regional and global forums when Vietnam serves as ASEANChair 2020 and a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council for the2020-2021 tenure./.
