Deputy Foreign Minister Nguyen Quoc Dung (Photo: VNA)
Hanoi (VNA) – Deputy Foreign Minister and head of the ASEAN Senior Officials' Meeting (SOM) Vietnam Nguyen Quoc Dung on April 6 held phone talkswith acting Australian Deputy Foreign Minister and head of the SOM Australia onASEAN and East Asia Summit (EAS) Justin Hayhurst to discuss joint work viaregional cooperation mechanisms amid the complicated developments of COVID-19.
Dung expressedwish to enhance close coordination to further deepen strategic partnership and comprehensive cooperation between ASEAN and Australia.
He emphasisedthat fighting COVID-19 is now the top priority of ASEAN, adding that in thecapacity as ASEAN Chair, Vietnam is actively promoting common efforts of thebloc and cooperation with partners in the fight against the pandemic.
Speaking highlyof Vietnam’s role and efforts in its capacity as ASEAN Chair 2020, Hayhurst said Australia will continue supporting and working closely withVietnam to step up the anti-COVID-19 fight via regional cooperation mechanisms,including ASEAN – Australia cooperation and the EAS.
The two officialsagreed to maintain the Vietnam - Australia strategic partnership in variousareas.
Dung thanked theAustralian Government for readiness to offer technical support to Vietnam tomitigate socio-economic impacts caused by COVID-19. He suggested the Australianauthorities continue supporting Vietnamese citizens and students in currentdifficult times.
Hayhurst, for hispart, thanked the Vietnamese Government for providing medical and consularsupport for Australian citizens and tourists affected by the epidemic.
He affirmed thatthe Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade will work with education and interiorministries and authorities to have measures to support Vietnamese students inAustralia./.
