H.E. Raul S. Hernandez, Philippine Ambassador to Turkey and Chairman of the ASEAN Ankara Committee with the Guest of Honor, Director General for Overseas Promotion and Cultural Affairs of the Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs, H.E. Ambassador Deniz Çakar, along with Ambassadors and representatives of ASEAN missions in Ankara and ASEAN Dialogue Partners
The ASEAN Ankara Committee (AAC), under the chairmanship of H.E. Raul S. Hernandez, Ambassador of the Republic of the Philippines to Turkey, commemorated the 53rd anniversary of ASEAN with a flag-raising ceremony on 28 August 2020 in Ankara, Turkey.
Ambassador Hernandez led the AAC along with Ambassadors and representatives of the eight ASEAN missions represented in Turkey – Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam. Also in attendance were six of ASEAN’s Dialogue Partners (the European Union, India, Japan, the Republic of Korea, New Zealand and Russia), representatives from the Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs, members of the Turkish academe and the media.
Director General for Overseas Promotion and Cultural Affairs of the Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs, H.E. Ambassador Deniz Çakar, graced the event as the AAC’s guest of honor. The event was marked with a flag-raising ceremony and followed by speeches from Ambassador Hernandez and Director General Çakar.
In his speech, Ambassador Hernandez noted the swift measures ASEAN has taken for a timely and effective response to COVID-19 in Southeast Asia including the establishment of the COVID-19 ASEAN Response Fund and attempts to strengthen healthcare and food security systems, research and development initiatives and future preparedness for outbreaks. The Ambassador said that since its founding in 1967, ASEAN has become one of the world’s most successful communities, experiencing the longest period of peace in the region through the “ASEAN Way”, a process based on consultation, consensus and cooperation.
Ambassador Hernandez added that ASEAN remains committed to achieving sustainable, balanced and inclusive economic growth with open markets free from trade restrictions through the ASEAN Economic Community. The Ambassador also encouraged external partners to further cooperate in ASEAN’s connectivity, sustainable development and economic initiatives. Institutional linkages have been strengthened between ASEAN and Turkey since the latter’s acceptance as Sectoral Dialogue Partner in 2017 with stronger relations expected as Turkey pursues its “Asia Anew Initiative.”
In her response, Director General Çakar said that Turkey recognizes ASEAN as one of the world’s most successful regional communities and hailed ASEAN’s efforts to build an ASEAN community by 2025. The Director General emphasized growing ties between Turkey and ASEAN in trade and investments, education, culture and defense with relations expected to further deepen in the coming years as Turkey pursues its “Asia Anew Initiative.”
Under its Sectoral Dialogue Partnership with ASEAN, Director General Çakar noted that Turkey has contributed USD1 million for joint sectoral dialogue projects with two approved projects and five projects under consideration. Turkey’s Foreign Minister, Mevlut Cavusoglu, is also expected to attend the upcoming 23rd ASEAN Ministerial Meeting once the date and format of the conference are determined to pursue greater cooperation with ASEAN in all fields including new areas of cooperation brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic.
The ASEAN flag-raising ceremony was one of the first diplomatic events held since the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic in Turkey five months ago. Notwithstanding current challenges posed by COVID-19, the AAC, its external partners and networks of contacts and friends in Turkey attended the event in a show of solidarity and unity to honor the 53rd anniversary of ASEAN’s founding.
The Ambassadors and representatives of the ASEAN Ankara Committee with the Guest of Honor, Director General for Overseas Promotion and Cultural Affairs of the Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs, H.E. Ambassador Deniz Çakar
H.E. Ambassador Raul S. Hernandez delivering his speech.
H.E. Ambassador Raul S. Hernandez delivering his speech.
Guest of Honor, Director General for Overseas Promotion and Cultural Affairs of the Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs, H.E. Ambassador Deniz Çakar gives her response.
Indonesian cadets march and the ASEAN Flag is hoisted as the ASEAN Hymn is played.
Indonesian cadets march and the ASEAN Flag is hoisted as the ASEAN Hymn is played.
