VIENTIANE, March 30 (Xinhua) -- The ASEAN countries should strengthen their cooperation in slowing the spread of COVID-19, Lao Minister of Information, Culture and Tourism Suanesavanh Vignaket said on Wednesday.
"The COVID-19 pandemic is continuing to affect the region and the world and is having a long-term effect, not only on socio-economic development, but also on people-to-people connectivity," the Lao minister said when virtually addressing the 27th ASEAN Socio-Cultural Community Council Meeting, adding that "the renewed outbreak comes at a time when we are also facing a sharp increase in the price of fuel and a cost of living crisis as inflation soars."
