Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Phạm Bình Minh. — VNA/VNS Photo

 HÀ NỘI — Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Phạm Bình Minh on Wednesday held phone talks with Minister of Foreign Affairs, European Union and Cooperation of Spain Arancha Gonzalez Laya to discuss bilateral cooperation amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

Minh informed the Spanish FM about the situation in Việt Nam and its preventive measures. He highlighted the Government’s determination to carry out dual tasks of containing the coronavirus outbreak while maintaining socio-economic stability and growth after COVID-19.

As ASEAN Chair and a non-permanent member of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) in 2020, Việt Nam had been actively cooperating and sharing information and experience with foreign partners to stop the pandemic, the Vietnamese diplomat said.

Arancha Gonzalez Laya thanked the Vietnamese Government and people for presenting Spain with 110,000 antibacterial face masks.

She highly appreciated Việt Nam’s proactive and strong measures against COVID-19, as well as the country’s active role and proposals about this matter at regional and international forums.

The minister hoped the two countries would closely work together and set up a cooperation channel in the fight against COVID-19.

The two sides agreed to strengthen strategic ties and intensify coordination at multilateral and international forums as well as in matters of mutual concern this year as Việt Nam takes the role of ASEAN Chair and a non-permanent member of the UNSC for 2020-21. — VNS