HANOI, March 19 (Xinhua) -- Vietnamese Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc on Thursday wrote to leaders of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) countries and New Zealand, proposing the 36th ASEAN Summit, the ASEAN-New Zealand Summit and related meetings to be postponed until the end of June, Vietnam News Agency reported.
Phuc affirmed in the letter that Vietnam had completed the preparation work for the ASEAN Summit, scheduled for April 8-9 in Vietnam's central city of Da Nang, yet the adjustment of the event date is necessary in the context of wide spread of the COVID-19 epidemic in the region and the world and the fact that the World Health Organization declared it a global pandemic.
He expressed his thanks to the countries for supporting and joining with Vietnam in enhancing the establishment of a cohesive and proactive ASEAN Community while affirming that with joint determination and efforts along with the solidarity, the ASEAN Community can stand firm against all challenges, ensuring peaceful life for the people and prosperity of member states, the news agency reported.
Vietnamese Deputy Foreign Minister Nguyen Quoc Dung handed over the prime minister's letter to ambassadors of ASEAN countries and New Zealand at a meeting in Hanoi on Thursday.
Vietnam announced on Wednesday that the ASEAN Finance Ministers' and Central Bank Governors' Meeting and related meetings scheduled to be held between March 24 and March 27 in its northern Quang Ninh province will also be postponed.
