Türkiye Seeks Full ASEAN Dialogue Partner Status to Deepen Cooperation

RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta – As one of ASEAN’s Sectoral Dialogue Partners, Türkiye aims to become a Full Dialogue Partner, a process that began after it submitted its application to ASEAN in 2024.

Türkiye’s Ambassador to Indonesia, Timor‑Leste, and ASEAN, Talip Küçükcan, made the statement during the inaugural ASEAN‑Türkiye Forum held in Jakarta on Monday, June 29, 2026.

The forum was jointly organized by the Turkish Embassy in Jakarta and the Economic Research Institute for ASEAN and East Asia (ERIA), with support from Türkiye’s Directorate of Communications.

Türkiye acceded to the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia (TAC) in 2010 and became an ASEAN Sectoral Dialogue Partner in 2017. The inaugural forum reinforced the country’s strategic efforts toward a closer and more institutionalized partnership with ASEAN.

The event also reflected the institutional commitment of both sides to build a shared long‑term strategic vision, Ambassador Küçükcan said in an official statement released on Wednesday, July 1, 2026.

He stressed that the ASEAN‑Türkiye Forum is not intended to be a one‑off event but rather a sustainable mechanism that will serve as a platform for high‑level strategic dialogue in the future.

Meanwhile, ERIA President Tetsuya Watanabe said ASEAN is one of the world’s most dynamic economic growth centers, while Türkiye occupies a unique strategic position connecting Europe, Asia, and the Middle East.

He emphasized that combining these strengths could generate significant benefits for shared prosperity, economic resilience, and broader security.

Responding to evolving global geopolitical dynamics, ASEAN Deputy Secretary‑General for the ASEAN Economic Community, Satvinder Singh, said thatASEAN‑Türkiye economic relations require a new perspective.

He noted that the relationship deserves greater strategic attention at the global level, adding that this is not only the time to appreciate past achievements but also to shape how the ASEAN‑Türkiye partnership can become a pillar of regional stability.

The ASEAN‑Türkiye Forum produced key recommendations centered on three pillars of transformation: deepening the strategic partnership beyond merely expanding its scope, enhancing energy connectivity and joint industrial production, and preparing the future workforce through digital credentials.

To further strengthen the partnership, both sides expressed hope that the forum would continue in the years ahead. Türkiye also stated that it would be pleased to host the next meeting in Ankara. (Diffa Sephiawardhani)