Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc (Photo: VNA) Hanoi (VNA) – Prime Minister Nguyen XuanPhuc held phone talks with President of the Philippines Rodrigo Duterte onMay 26 to discuss bilateral and regional cooperation amid COVID-19 pandemic.
The PM told the Philippineleader that the Vietnamese Government, people and businesses have entered a newnormal period following the pandemic.
He highlighted the significance of internationalcooperation in the current context, thanked the Philippines and President Duterte for making active contributions to the successof the online ASEAN Summit and ASEAN 3 Summit on COVID-19 Response held onApril 14.
The Vietnamese leader spokehighly of the Philippines’ initial success in mitigating the impact of the pandemic, and thanked its Government for creating favourable conditions for twoflights carrying nearly 400 Vietnamese citizens home over the recent past.
Duterte, for his part, hailed Vietnam as an effectiveexample in the fight against COVID-19.
He highly valued Vietnam’s leading role in its capacity as the ASEAN Chair 2020 inthe cohesive and responsive spirit, and lauded the country’s efforts andinitiatives in pandemic prevention and control, including the establishment ofa fund for COVID-19 response and a regional medical equipment warehouse.
The two leaders agreed to enhance bilateralsubstantive ties, improve the efficiency of cooperation in diverse areas viathe effective implementation of the Action Programme to realise bilateralstrategic partnership and regular maintenance of cooperation mechanisms,especially the ministerial-level Joint Commission for Bilateral Cooperation.
PM Phuc proposed that the two countriesshould further lift two-way trade and limit the imposition of trade barrier measures, adding Vietnam is ready to be a long-term supplierof rice to the Philippines at competitive prices.
Duterte thanked Vietnam for helping the Philippines ensure food security, and agreed that both sides willoffer humanitarian treatment to each other’s fishermen in the spirit oftraditional friendship and mutual trust.
The two sides pledged to offer mutual support atmultilateral forums.
The Philippine leader vowed to continueworking closely with and support Vietnam in successfully undertaking the roleof the ASEAN Chair 2020 and a non-permanent member of the United Nations SecurityCouncil during the 2020-2021 tenure.
The Vietnamese PM spoke highly of thePhilippines’ role and contributions in its capacity as the coordinator of the ASEAN –China relationship.
The two leaders stressed the importance offurther enhancing solidarity, maintaining ASEAN’s common stance on the East Seaissue, accelerating negotiations to reach a quality Code of Conduct in the EastSea in line with international law, including the 1982 United NationsConvention on the Law of the Sea, contributing to the keeping of peace, stability and securityin the region./.
