Japan appreciative of Vietnam's effective COVID-19 response measures

PM Nguyen Xuan Phuc and his Japanese counterpart Abe Shinzo discuss pandemic counter measures during their phone talks

Vietnam has basically contained the COVID-19 epidemic and gradually normalized socio-economic activities thanks to high determination, sound policies and great public support, Phuc told Abe.

The Vietnamese government chief thanked the Japanese Government for providing Vietnam with more than US$1.8 million via international organisations to help it combat the epidemic, adding that Vietnam decided to provide Japan with 140,000 medical masks in the fight against the COVID-19.

The Japanese PM, for his part, expressed his thanks to the Government and people of Vietnam for providing medical supplies and masks for his nation.

Both sides agreed to continue to care for and ensure the safety of each other's citizens during the COVID-19 combat. The Japanese Government has decided to provide 100,000 JPY per person for not only Japanese but also Vietnamese citizens living and working in Japan, the Japanese PM said.

The two PMs concurred to intensify exchanges and cooperation in a multitude of fields as well as encourage and support Japanese enterprises to increase investment in Vietnam. PM Abe Shinzo held that his nation is set to deliver the second aid package to help Vietnam deal with the epidemic and promote economic growth in the future.

The two sides were of the same about continued closer cooperation at regional and international forums.

PM Phuc applauded Japan's initiatives launched at the Special ASEAN Plus Three Summit held on April 14 on the establishment of the ASEAN Center for Infectious Diseases and concessional loans for small- and medium-sized enterprises in the region. He asked Japan to assist the ASEAN COVID-19 Response Fund and the regional reserves of medical supplies.

PM Abe Shinzo greatly valued Vietnam's important role as the ASEAN Chair 2020 and a non-permanent member of the United Nations Security Council for the 2020-2021 term. He affirmed that his country will continue to work closely with Vietnam on regional and international issues of shared concern, and together speed up the signing of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) in 2020 and effectively carry out the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP).