Deputy Prime Minister, Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh holds phone talks with Japanese Foreign Minister Motegi Toshimitsu on June 1, 2020. (Photo: VGP)

During a phone talk with Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh on Monday, Motegi said Japan will continue to provide Vietnam needed medical equipment and supplies.

The two leaders discussed collaboration in COVID-19 prevention and control, as well as measures to promote exchange and economic cooperation.

They agreed to work closely at international forums like ASEAN and the Mekong-Japan cooperation mechanism, and speed up establishing the ASEAN Center for emerging diseases and public health emergencies proposed by Japanese Prime Minister Abe Shinzo at the online Special ASEAN Plus Three Summit on April 14.