Hanoi (VNA) – Leaders attending the online SpecialASEAN+3 Summit on COVID-19 response on April 14 shared experience and discussed concrete measures to soon stamp out the pandemic.

The leaders also discussed ways to protectpeople’s interests and ease socio-economic impacts caused by the epidemic, andput forward a post-pandemic recovery plan.

The ASEAN+3 countries, including 10 memberstates of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and three partnercountries – China, Japan and the Republic of Korea (RoK) - committed to standingready to exchange experience, policies and epidemiological and clinical research,support each other with medical supplies and step up cooperation in COVID-19vaccine and drug development. 

The leaders shared a view that the lessonswithdrawn from China, Japan and the RoK in containing and preventing thepandemic are useful for ASEAN in the combat. 

People’s interests should be given the toppriority, they said, stressing the need to ensure their health and livelihoods,and provide timely support and equal treatment for ASEAN+3 citizens affected bythe epidemic, including migrant workers, so that no one is left behind. 

They also pledged to maintain open markets, soonsign the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP), diversify theconnectivity of supply sources in and outside the region, and ensure the flowsof goods and services, especially essential medical materials and products.

They agreed to assign the ASEAN+3 MacroeconomicResearch Office (AMRO) to study and propose policy recommendations to promptly respondto recession risks and optimise prevention mechanisms to keep theeconomic-financial situation and food security in ASEAN+3 stable in accordancewith the Chiang Mai Initiative Multilateralization agreement and theASEAN+3 Emergency Rice Reserve.

In his remarks, Vietnamese Prime Minister NguyenXuan Phuc described solidarity and support among the countries as the key to overcomingthis difficult time. 

He also introduced Vietnam’s experience andinitial results in containing the pandemic and protecting people’s lives, andthanked other countries for their coordination as well as technical andfinancial assistance to Vietnam over the past time. 

The Vietnamese PM raised proposals to enhanceASEAN+3 cooperation in fighting COVID-19, and maintaining economic stabilityand development. 

At the summit, the participating leaders heard areport of the ASEAN Secretary General on the bloc’s efforts in preventing andcontaining the pandemic, and the WHO Director General’s speech on the globalpandemic situation and response of countries. 

The leaders spoke highly of Vietnam’s efforts inorganising the online summit, practically contributing to the common fightagainst the pandemic.

At the end of the summit, the leaders issued ajoint statement of the Special ASEAN+3 Summit on COVID-19./.