 (Photo: VNA) |
At the 8th ASEAN-US Summit, regional leaders appreciated a US assistance of 3.5 billion USD to improve ASEAN countries’ public health capacity in the last two decades. They suggested the US implement the US-ASEAN Health Futures Initiative and support the ASEAN COVID-19 response fund and the ASEAN Regional Reserve of Medical Supplies which have debuted recently.
Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc lauded the Memorandum of Understanding signed recently between the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and ASEAN, the US’s 5-million-USD sponsor to establish the Young Southeast Asian Leaders Initiative (YSEALI) academy at Fulbright University Vietnam (FUV). He said he hopes the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) will open a regional office in Hanoi.
Mr. Phuc said, “As ASEAN’s strategic partner since 2015, the US’s responsible contributions to regional trust-building process, dialogues, and cooperation at ASEAN-chaired frameworks are always welcomed. The COVID-19 pandemic and security challenges have made cooperation among countries urgent more than ever. We value the US’s cooperative initiatives to help ASEAN members fight the pandemic. ASEAN wants to strengthen practical and close cooperation with the international community and partners, including the US.”
US National Security Adviser Robert O'Brien reiterated the US’s commitment to providing finance and equipment, worth 87 million USD, for ASEAN’s battle against COVID-19. He emphasized the ASEAN-US strategic partnership and the importance of abiding by international laws and unimpeded trade. The official said the US backs coastal countries to exercise their sovereign rights over maritime resources in conformity with the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea.
“At this time of crisis, the US-ASEAN strategic partnership is more important as we walk together to combat the coronavirus. We appreciate ASEAN partners’ efforts to keep our key supply chains open, markets operated, and personal protective equipment flowing. This is our robust foundation”, said O’Brien. He continued: “The US and the ASEAN countries are partners in public health and the fight against infectious diseases in the past two decades. Together, we have saved countless American and ASEAN lives. I look forward to our robust discussions on how we can work together for peace and prosperity in Southeast Asia and through the entire Pacific region.”
A Declaration on Human Resources Development was adopted at the end of the 8th ASEAN-US Summit.
At the ASEAN-New Zealand Summit, New Zealand’s Prime Minister Jacinda Kate Laurell Ardern said her country will continue working closely with ASEAN because the bloc is of great significance to New Zealand.
“ASEAN is among New Zealand’s top trading partners, a crucial defense and security partner, and a critical strategic hub that connects us to Asia and the rest of the world. New Zealand is a strong supporter of ASEAN’s centrality and continued success in building the ASEAN community. Right now, our friendship and partnership is stronger than ever as we fight challenges presented by the COVID-19," according to Ardern. She added, “New Zealand is committed to working with ASEAN to ensure fair and equitable access to safe vaccines, keep market open, and supply chains resilient to advance inclusive and sustainable economic recovery and uphold the rule-based international order."