PM: Vietnam maintaining support for virus-hit nations
Vietnam will continue supporting countries hit by the COVID-19 pandemic, maintain normal economic activities with them, and provide them with basic necessities, including food, as needed, Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc said when addressing the Special ASEAN Summit on COVID-19 held online on April 14.
Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc (C) addresses Special ASEAN Summit (Source: VNA)
Hanoi (VNA) - Vietnam will continue supporting countries hit by the COVID-19pandemic, maintain normal economic activities with them, and provide them with basicnecessities, including food, as needed, Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc said whenaddressing the Special ASEAN Summit on COVID-19 held online on April 14.
The PM spoke highly ofASEAN member states’ joining hands with Vietnam in responding to the pandemic fromthe very early days.
He appreciated theirbacking of Vietnam’s proposals, such as establishing the ASEAN COVID-19 ResponseFund, setting up a reserve for medical supplies to meet urgent needs during epidemics,organising an online drill of defence forces, and setting up a task force of seniorASEAN information officials to combat fake news.
PM Phuc emphasised theneed for ASEAN to support those affected, work together in mitigating the virus’simpact on socio-economic development, and propose measures to speed up economic recovery.
ASEAN leaders also expressedtheir political commitment to fighting COVID-19.
They said jointefforts by the bloc have seen encouraging initial results, with the number of infectionsin the region being much lower than elsewhere.
They also affirmed thatthe top priority of the bloc at this moment is to control and prevent the spreadof the disease, in particular tackling cross-border infections.
ASEAN needs to take actionto minimise the socio-economic impact, protect local people, and support micro, small,and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs).
The leaders also discussedmeasures to facilitate economic recovery, including strengthening intra-bloc trade,speeding up negotiations over economic cooperation agreements, and implementingeconomic stimulus packages.
Concluding the teleconference, the leaders adopted the Declaration of the Special ASEAN Summit on COVID-19./.
Japanese Foreign Minister Motegi Toshimitsu on April 14 affirmed that his country highly values the leadership by Vietnam during the ASEAN Chairmanship Year 2020.
President of the Republic of Korea (RoK) Moon Jae-in on April 14 stressed the importance of close international coordination on both antivirus quarantine and the economy in the face of a shift in global order.
Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc chaired the online Special ASEAN+3 Summit with China, Japan and the Republic of Korea (RoK) on April 14 on the COVID-19 response, following the success of the Special ASEAN Summit on the same issue.
Thai Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha plans to push ahead with a proposal to set up the ASEAN Response Fund (ARF) as part of a six-point declaration to be endorsed by the ten ASEAN leaders as they join hands to fight COVID-19, Bangkok Post reported.
At the conference, participants reported that the Government has so far issued 28 decrees on the delegation of responsibilities and powers between the central Government and two-tier local administrations. Several localities have already piloted the new governance model.
Reality is the ultimate benchmark for success, he said, urging drafting agencies to work out policies that foster development, reduce bureaucratic hurdles, and respect practical conditions.
Under the official dispatch signed on June 20, ministers, heads of ministerial-level agencies, and chairpersons of provincial and municipal People’s Committees are requested to concentrate efforts on implementing core measures to ensure the smooth operations of the new administrative framework.
The Party chief underscored the need for the press to innovate relentlessly, evolve to keep pace with the country's development, transform into a truly professional, humanistic, and modern sector that serves the cause of the Party, the State, and the people on the path to national construction and development.
The UN Secretary-General praised Vietnam’s remarkable achievements in socio-economic development and international integration in recent years, noting that the country has emerged as a model in implementing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), promoting international peace and security, and engaging in key UN processes.
Nghia affirmed that this is a milestone of special significance, affirming and honouring the the Vietnamese revolutionary press’s glorious tradition of 100 years of serving the revolutionary cause of the Party, serving the Fatherland, and serving the people.
The Party and State of Vietnam always attach great importance to and give top priority to the development of Vietnam–China relations. Vietnam is ready to work with the Chinese Party and State to further deepen the Comprehensive Strategic Cooperative Partnership and promote the building of the Vietnam-China community with a shared future that carries strategic significance.
Under the leadership of President Ho Chi Minh and the CPV, President Cuong said, the press has been a steadfast force on the ideological and cultural front, rallying the masses to pursue national aspirations.
NA Chairman Tran Thanh Man stressed the need to accelerate the application of artificial intelligence and smart teaching equipment, innovate teaching and assessment methods, and further improve the quality of formal education.
He also pledged that the NA will promote its ongoing supervision, making sure that every promise must lead to results, and every commitment must bring about real changes.
Minister of Industry and Trade Nguyen Hong Dien welcomed the proposals put forward by the US side and reiterated Vietnam’s request for consideration of key areas of interest, including reciprocal tariff policies and access for Vietnamese key export products to the US market.
Deputy PM Le Thanh Long proposed countries promote shared values, including building trust, sincerity, and solidarity among nations and peoples; fostering cooperation spirit and responsible behaviour as well as upholding international law and the UN Charter; and placing people at the centre and as the goal, the key player, and the driving force of all policies.
The show, together with a grand parade to be held silmutaneously at Ba Dinh Square in Hanoi, will celebrate the 80th anniversary of the August Revolution, the National Day, and the General Staff of the Vietnam People’s Army (VPA).
In particular, in April 2023, the two sides successfully carried out a joint operation that dismantled a major organised, transnational drug trafficking ring involving both Vietnamese and Cambodian suspects.
The Vietnamese Embassy in Israel is closely coordinating with relevant local agencies to stay informed and provide the utmost support possible for Vietnamese nationals.
The launch of Thanh Nien (Young People) newspaper in 1925, even before the founding of the Communist Party of Vietnam, is considered a testament to President Ho Chi Minh’s strategic foresight and strong belief in the guiding power of the revolutionary media.
New Zealand is currently one of Vietnam’s most important partners in the region, marked by a high level of political trust, strong and reliable defence and security cooperation, and increasingly open economic, trade, and investment ties.
Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc (C) addresses Special ASEAN Summit (Source: VNA) 
