Ankara, Türkiye, 13 September 2023 – The Philippine Embassy in Ankara joined the ASEAN Ankara Committee (AAC) in celebrating the 56th Founding Anniversary of ASEAN at the Embassy of Brunei Darussalam in Ankara last 08 September 2023. 

The ASEAN Heads of Missions, including Charge d’Affaires a.i. Angela Margeaux E. Tolentino (4th from right) of the Philippine Embassy, with the Guest of Honor, Deputy Foreign Minister Burak Akçapar (5th from right), and the ambassadors and representatives of ASEAN Dialogue Partners (Embassy photo).

Hosted by H.E. Mohammad Shafiee bin Haji Kassim, Ambassador of the Kingdom of Brunei Darussalam and current chairman of the AAC, the ASEAN Day event was attended by the Heads of Missions and representatives of ASEAN-member countries in Türkiye; ambassadors and representatives of ASEAN Dialogue Partners; officials from the Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs; and turkish guests from the government, business sector, and academe.

In his speech, Ambassador Kassim reflected on how the ASEAN has not only survived but also thrived since its establishment 56 years ago, and how its member countries have worked together to establish a regional community with a shared vision of peace, stability and prosperity. “ASEAN is a living example which proves that thrust, cooperation and friendship can make an Association into a beacon of hope,” he said.

Ambassador Kassim also underscored the significance of the partnership of ASEAN and Türkiye, which was granted the status of sectoral dialogue partner at Manila in 2017, and hoped that this partnership will continue to be nurtured. “We remain optimistic, as we move forward in our partnership with Türkiye, it is one which will provide mutual benefits and remain sustainable for many many years,” he added.

The Guest of Honor for the event was Ambassador Burak Akçapar, Deputy Foreign Minister of the Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs. In his remarks, Ambassador Akçapar lauded ASEAN’s efforts of promoting peace and stability in the region and recognized ASEAN’s central role in the Asia-Pacific region. “Türkiye has developed fruitful cooperation with ASEAN as a sectoral partner since 2017. We are working hard towards deepening, broadening and diversifying our cooperation with ASEAN and its Member States, based on common objectives and interests,” he said. 

Türkiye is seeking to improve its ties with Asian countries through its Asia Anew Initiative and views ASEAN as a key organization in the region in various areas, such as education, defense, investments, trade, technology, culture and political dialogue. Turkish embassies in all ASEAN member countries contribute to FDIs and trade between Türkiye and ASEAN members, while Türkiye is a considered a preferred holiday destination among ASEAN members, supported by direct flights to many ASEAN capital cities.

Brunei Ambassador and ASEAN Ankara Committee (AAC) Chair H.E. Mohammad Shafiee bin Haji Kassim (left) presents the ASEAN-Türkiye Commemorative Stamp to the Guest of Honor, Deputy Foreign Minister  Burak Akçapar (center). Looking on is Philippine Chargé d’Affaires a.i. Angela Margeaux E. Tolentino (right). (Embassy photo).

The event was also marked by the launching of the ASEAN Commemorative Stamp in celebration of the 5th Anniversary of the Türkiye-ASEAN Sectoral Dialogue Partnership.

The Philippine Embassy team, led by Chargé d’Affaires a.i. Angela Margeaux E. Tolentino, with Ambassador of Brunei and ASEAN Ankara Committee (AAC) Chair H.E. Mohammad Shafiee bin Haji Kassim, and wife Madame Elma Darlini Sulaiman. (Embassy photo).

After the program, the guests partook of the food prepared by each ASEAN Embassy including Philippine empanadas, fried banana rolls or “turon,” and ube-macapuno ice cream. ##