The European Union (EU) and its member countries have committed to allocating more than 800 million EUR (962.51 million USD) from the TEAM EUROPE programme to ASEAN countries.
The EU has been the biggest sponsor of the COVAX programme that aims to distribute COVID-19 vaccines equally to developing countries. (Photo: VNA)
Brussels (VNA) – The European Union (EU) andits member countries have committed to allocating more than 800 million EUR(962.51 million USD) from the TEAM EUROPE programme to ASEAN countries.
The initiative was raised by the EU last year with theaim of assisting countries around the globe in coping with the COVID-19pandemic and its economic impact.
The information was unveiled at an online meetingbetween the ASEAN Brussels Committee (ABC) and Koen Doens, Directorate-Generalfor International Partnerships (INTPA) at the EC.
The meeting took place under the chair of VietnameseAmbassador to the EU and Belgium Vu Anh Quang. This was the first meeting of theABC and an EU partner in 2020 when the Vietnamese embassy – mission holds theChairmanship.
Vietnamese Ambassador to the EU and Belgium Vu Anh Quang (Photo: VNA)
The sides discussed significant matters in developmentcooperation, COVID-19 vaccine distribution and preparations for the ASEAN-EUDialogue on Sustainable Development slated for September.
In his remarks, Quang appreciated the EU’s efforts andactions in the global fight against COVID-19, saying the union has been the biggestsponsor of the COVAX programme that aims to distribute COVID-19 vaccines equallyto developing countries.
The meeting heard that the TEAM EUROPE programme has,to date, mobilised up to 40 billion EUR from the EC and EU member countries. Ofthe amount, 26 billion EUR was disbursed last year, significantly contributingto global efforts in the pandemic combat.
According to Doens, the allocation of the package to ASEANmember countries are under discussion.
The sides reiterated their commitment to promotinginternational cooperation in coping with the pandemic and its economic impact.
The delegates also expressed his hope for consolidateddevelopment cooperation between ASEAN and the EU in the time ahead, inaccordance with the EU Strategy for Cooperation in Indo-Pacific, as well as theASEAN-EU strategic partnership./.
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The EU has been the biggest sponsor of the COVAX programme that aims to distribute COVID-19 vaccines equally to developing countries. (Photo: VNA) 
Vietnamese Ambassador to the EU and Belgium Vu Anh Quang (Photo: VNA) 
