The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) has coped with COVID-19 quite well with Vietnam serving as the ASEAN Chair 2020, heard an online seminar held by the Centre for International Law (CIL) under the National University of Singapore on May 20.
Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc chairs Special ASEAN Plus Three Summit on COVID-19. (Photo: VNA)
Singapore (VNA) –The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) has coped with COVID-19 quitewell with Vietnam serving as the ASEAN Chair 2020, heard an online seminar held bythe Centre for International Law (CIL) under the National University ofSingapore on May 20.
Scholars and officialsshared the view that apart from the pandemic combat, the grouping has madeoutstanding performance in balancing relations with its major partners.
Dr. Tan Hsien-Li, Directorfor the ASEAN Law and Policy Programme at the CIL, said the sharing of informationat ASEAN video conferences has helped raise the awareness of countries aboutthe acute respiratory disease, and better their information work.
Prof. Tommy Koh, CIL Chairman,pointed to solidarity and cooperation as two important identities of ASEAN duringthe hard time, citing the medical support Vietnam and Brunei have provided forother ASEAN member countries.
Vietnamese Ambassador toSingapore Tao Thi Thanh Huong said Vietnam, in its capacity as the ASEAN Chair2020, and other ASEAN member countries have taken prompt actions and closelycoordinated and cooperated with each other, and with their partners in thefight against the pandemic.
It is the closecoordination that has helped the countries contain the spread of the COVID-19,and ensure food security and safety, she stressed, adding it must be maintainedin the post-pandemic recovery period and the implementation of the grouping’sgoals.
Participatingscholars also lauded Vietnam’s achievements in the pandemic combat, especially itsprompt and drastic response./.
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Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc chairs Special ASEAN Plus Three Summit on COVID-19. (Photo: VNA) 
