Türkiye becomes ASEAN's 12th dialogue partner

Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan on Tuesday welcomed Ankara's admission as the 12th dialogue partner of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), a status placing Türkiye immediately below full membership within the Southeast Asian bloc.

Strategic milestone in Manila

Speaking after Philippine Foreign Affairs Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro announced the decision at the ASEAN Foreign Ministers' Meeting, Fidan said the designation represents "another significant outcome" achieved under President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's leadership. He thanked ASEAN foreign ministers, the Philippines as the current chair, and the ASEAN Secretariat for supporting Ankara's 2024 application, noting the move would strengthen long-term engagement with the Asia-Pacific region.

Expanded cooperation framework

Lazaro said, "These developments demonstrate the continued confidence of our partners in ASEAN," adding that the bloc also views this as a positive step in realizing the aspirations laid down in the ASEAN Community Vision 2045. The ministers granted Germany and Qatar sectoral dialogue partner status during the annual gathering in Manila, according to the Philippine Presidential Communications Office.

The Turkish Foreign Ministry issued a separate statement welcoming the decision, saying it would "further advance our strategic cooperation with ASEAN" under Türkiye's Asia Anew Initiative. Fidan noted that trade between Türkiye and ASEAN member states has grown from $6.5 billion to $16 billion since institutional relations were established in 2010, with the new status set to deepen ties with the region's $4 trillion economy.

Malaysian Foreign Minister Mohamad Hasan said that ASEAN member states have agreed for Malaysia to become the country coordinator for ASEAN-Türkiye relations, according to Bernama News. He noted that Türkiye's status as a dialogue partner was accepted last year when Malaysia chaired the 11-member bloc, which Ankara first engaged with in 2010 before signing the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation and becoming a sectoral dialogue partner in 2017.