Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Nguyễn Quốc Dũng attends the 24th ASEAN-RoK dialogue on Wednesday. — VNA/VNS Photo Văn Điệp

HÀ NỘI — ASEAN and the Republic of Korea (RoK) agreed to continue effectively implementing the ASEAN-Korea Action Plan and promote co-operation in preventing and mitigating the impact of COVID-19 at the virtual 24th ASEAN-RoK dialogue on Wednesday.

The two sides also agreed to boost economic recovery, and enhance co-operation in priority areas such as marine, trade, investment, connectivity, micro, small and medium enterprise development, energy and food security, cultural exchanges, people-to-people exchanges, natural disaster prevention, and climate change adaptation.

ASEAN member states consider the RoK a long-standing and close partner of the bloc and have recognised its co-operation and active support for efforts of building the ASEAN Community.

They also welcomed the RoK doubling its financial contribution to the ASEAN-Korea Cooperation Fund from US$7 million to $14 million

ASEAN countries thanked the RoK for donating $1 million to the ASEAN Fund in response to COVID-19, presenting a package of medical equipment and supplies worth $5 million, providing postgraduate scholarships worth $8 million to ASEAN countries, and making available $6 million for implementing people-to-people exchanges.

The RoK affirmed it will beef up co-operation with ASEAN through the $10-million COVID-19 rapid response programme as well as strengthen co-ordination with the bloc in studying and developing vaccines and medicines.

It also pledged to support ASEAN in developing its digital economy and overcoming the economic impact of the pandemic.

In regard to the regional and international situation, the two sides agreed to work closely in promoting dialogue, building trust, and contributing to maintaining peace, security and stability in the region.

They urged stakeholders to resume dialogue, fully implement resolutions from the UN Security Council and agreements, promote cooperation, and maintain peace, stability and denuclearisation on the Korean Peninsula.

The RoK supports ASEAN’s stance on and emphasised the importance of maintaining peace, stability, security, safety and freedom of navigation and overflight in the East Sea, respecting international law, and addressing any disputes via peaceful means and international law.

Representing Việt Nam, which is the Chair of ASEAN 2020, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Nguyễn Quốc Dũng, who is also head of SOM ASEAN Việt Nam, highlighted ASEAN’s efforts and solidarity in a “cohesive and responsive” spirit to overcome the difficulties posed by the global pandemic.

He spoke highly of the RoK’s role in coordinating with China and Japan to successfully host the special ASEAN+3 Summit on COVID-19 response.

The diplomat called on the RoK to actively support the ASEAN Fund for COVID-19 response and the ASEAN regional emergency medical material reserve.

He said ASEAN would continue promoting relations with its partners, including the RoK, in a spirit of mutual trust and respect, win-win co-operation, and respect for law, and will join hands to maintain peace, security, centrality and stability in Southeast Asia. — VNS