The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) has officially accepted Turkey as its 12th dialogue partner and also granted Germany and Qatar the status of sectoral dialogue partners.

Philippine Foreign Secretary and chair of the 59th ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Meeting, Theresa Lazaro, said these decisions reflect the continued international confidence in the association and are in line with the development concept of the “ASEAN Community Vision 2045.”

Germany received the new status in recognition of its many years of support for ASEAN and its readiness to continue contributing to the strengthening of the regional community.

Qatar’s application was approved due to its growing cooperation with the bloc in the areas of diplomacy, development, humanitarian assistance, education, and transport and logistics connectivity, as well as in connection with the country’s accession to the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia (TAC).

“These steps demonstrate our partners’ enduring confidence in ASEAN,” Lazaro emphasized following the plenary session.

In addition, the foreign ministers adopted a statement in response to the escalating situation in the Middle East, particularly the tensions between the United States and Iran, reaffirming ASEAN’s unchanged position regarding regional peace and stability.