Türkiye regards ASEAN as the most important framework of cooperation in the
region. With its combined GDP amounting to the 7th biggest
economy in the world, the 4th largest trading entity and with a
dynamic population of around 650 million, and located in the middle of
strategic sea routes, ASEAN is the key regional organization and an
important actor in its region.
It is not possible for countries outside the region to become a member of
ASEAN. On the other hand, the Association has declared a moratorium on
Dialogue Partnership, which is the highest level of institutional relations
with third countries.
Türkiye’s ultimate objective for developing its relations with ASEAN is to
achieve Dialogue Partnership. However, since the moratorium is still in
effect with no sign of lifting, Türkiye has applied to become a Sectoral
Dialogue Partner (SDP) with ASEAN in 2015 in order not to lose the momentum
of relations.
Türkiye is granted the status of Sectoral Dialogue Partner of ASEAN at the
50th ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Meeting on 5 August 2017 in
Manila, where H.E. Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the
Republic of Türkiye was also present by the invitation of the Philippines as
the host country.
Türkiye’s decision to establish institutional ties with ASEAN dates back to
1999. Taking the first step for institutional cooperation, Türkiye became a
signatory of the ASEAN Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia
(TAC) on 23 July 2010 during the 43rd ASEAN Foreign Ministers’
Meeting held in Vietnam.
Turkish Ambassador in Jakarta was accredited to ASEAN the same year.
Türkiye was invited to the ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Meetings as the guest of
ASEAN Chair Brunei in 2013 for the first time. Former Prime Minister H.E.
Ahmet Davutoğlu, then in his capacity as Minister of Foreign Affairs, has
participated in this meeting. Türkiye was invited to the 47th
ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in 2014 by the ASEAN Chair Myanmar. Türkiye
was represented by former Deputy Minister of Development H.E. Mehmet Ceylan
due to the Presidential elections held in Türkiye in the same period.
Türkiye’s bilateral ties with ASEAN countries are also developing. Türkiye’s
trade volume with ASEAN countries rose from 1,3 billion USD in 2002 and
surpassed 8,7 billion USD in 2016. After the Turkish Embassy in Vientiane
(Lao PDR) is opened, Türkiye will have diplomatic representation in all 10
member countries of ASEAN.
Turkish Cooperation and Development Agency (TİKA) has been very active in
providing development assistance through various projects in the region
which cost nearly 147,8 million USD between 2005 and 2015.
In addition, Türkiye has obtained an observer status in the multinational
police force of ASEAN in 2014.