In Bangkok, Thailand (Photo: AFP) Jakarta (VNA) - The EU announced on April 27 that it is mobilising 350 millionEUR (378 million USD) in an effort to help ASEAN members fight COVID-19.
In a statement, EU Ambassador to ASEAN Igor Driesmans said ASEAN could count onthe EU in difficult times, adding that the two are regional organisations boundby 42 years of solidarity and partnership.
By mobilising 350 million EUR in support of ASEAN countries, the EU isdemonstrating its friendship with the people of the region, he said.
The funds will be allocated for addressing the health crisis, strengtheninghealthcare systems, and alleviating the economic and social impacts of thepandemic.
The EU will also help Vietnam introduce measures against the epidemic and soonrealise the EU-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement.
Earlier, on April 4, the EU announced it would commit more than 20 billion EUR(21.7 billion USD) to support partner countries in the fight against COVID-19under a programme called Team Europe.
It will distribute the funds to vulnerable countries in Africa, the westernBalkans, eastern partner countries, the Middle East and North Africa, parts ofAsia and the Pacific, Latin America, and the Caribbean.
The EU also channelled some 48.5 million EUR (52.7 million USD) to fund 18research projects on COVID-19, particularly those relating to protectiveequipment, to improve modelling of the spread of the virus, rapid diagnostictechniques, and treatments and vaccines./.
