Mexico City (VNA) – Ambassadors andchargé d'affaires of ASEAN countries in Mexico,including Indonesia,Malaysia, the Philippines, Thailandand Vietnam, on May 13 hadan online exchange with Director General for Asia-Pacific at the MexicanMinistry of Foreign Affairs Claudia Franco Hijuelos about the COVID-19 fight inSoutheast Asia and Mexico.

They also talked about the possibility oforganising diplomatic activities after Mexico lifts lockdown measures atthe end of May.

Vietnamese Ambassador Nguyen Hoai Duong briefed partipicants of theoutcomes of the special ASEAN and ASEAN+3 summits on COVID-19 response underthe chair of Vietnam– the ASEAN Chair 2020, as well as updated the COVID-19 stiuation in thecountry and its motto of “fighting the pandemic as if fighting the enemy.”

He said with a high sense of community, theinvolvememt of the whole political system and the trust of people in Party andState leadership and direction, Vietnamhas basically pushed back the pandemic and become an example in the fight.

Touching upon the sound traditionalfriendship between Vietnamand Mexico,the ambassador said the National Assembly of Vietnam will present 20,000 facemasks to help Mexican people overcome the COVID-19 crisis.

He also pointed to China’s illegal actions in the East Seain recent time.

Hijuelos affirmed that Mexico attaches great importance toits relations with the ASEAN and highly appreciates the central role of thebloc in the region.

Mexico wants to strengthen coordination with the 10-member grouping in coping with thecomplicated developments of COVID-19, she said.

The official also voiced her desire topromote solidarity and collaboration between Mexico and ASEAN member states inall realms, from diplomacy and economy-trade to cultural exchanges.

She thanked the Vietnamese parliament for showingfaithful solidarity and friendship with the Mexican people during thisdifficult time and on the occasion of celebrating the 45th anniversaryof diplomatic ties (May 19, 1975)./.