Ankara / Anadolu

Turkish Deputy Foreign Minister Beris Akıncı attended the eighth trilateral meeting of the sectoral partnership for dialogue between the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and Turkey, hosted by the Philippine capital Manila as the Philippines holds the ASEAN presidency.

This diplomatic participation comes within the framework of efforts to strengthen political and economic dialogue between Turkey and vital regional blocs in Asia.

In a statement on its account on the American company X platform, the Turkish Foreign Ministry said Wednesday that Akıncı participated in the meeting and held a series of bilateral meetings on its sidelines.

The ministry explained that Akıncı's agenda included bilateral talks with ASEAN Secretary-General Kao Kim Hourn, Philippine Foreign Minister Maria Theresa Lazaro, and Japanese Foreign Minister Motegi Toshimitsu.

On Tuesday, Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan announced that Turkey has been accepted as a dialogue partner of ASEAN.

Fidan explained that Turkey's acquisition of the status of ASEAN dialogue partner will contribute to deepening political and economic cooperation between Turkey and the association's member countries, whose population is about 700 million and whose economy exceeds $4 trillion.

It is noteworthy that ASEAN was launched as an economic organization on August 8, 1967 in Bangkok, the capital of Thailand, and includes 10 member countries: Thailand, Indonesia, Philippines, Malaysia, Singapore, Brunei, Cambodia, Myanmar, Vietnam, and Laos.

This partnership is of great importance given the significant demographic and economic weight of ASEAN countries, with a population of nearly 700 million and an economy exceeding $4 trillion. It is expected that the status of dialogue partner will open broad horizons for Ankara to develop its relations with ASEAN countries in various vital fields. This step underscores the ongoing trend to enhance Turkey's diplomatic and economic presence on the Asian stage.