TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - ASEAN foreign ministers agreed to grant Sectoral Dialogue Partner status to Germany and Qatar and accepted Turkey as the 12th Dialogue Partner at the 59th ASEAN Foreign Ministerial Meeting (AMM).
The 59th AMM Chairperson and Philippine Foreign Secretary Ma. Theresa Lazaro said the decision reflects the growing trust of international partners in ASEAN and the need for deeper engagement with the international community.
"These developments demonstrate the continued confidence of our partners in ASEAN. We also view this as a positive step in realizing the aspirations laid down in the ASEAN Community Vision 2045," Lazaro said, as quoted on the official ASEAN 2026 website on Tuesday, citing ANTARA.
Lazaro stated that Germany obtained Sectoral Dialogue Partner status in recognition of its long-term support for ASEAN and its commitment to strengthening the ASEAN Community.
Meanwhile, Qatar was granted the same status because of its growing cooperation with ASEAN in diplomacy, development, humanitarian assistance, education, and connectivity. The country also joined the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia (TAC).
In the plenary session, ASEAN foreign ministers also expressed their full support for the commemoration of the 50th anniversary of the TAC on July 24. Poland, Romania, Sweden, and Lithuania are scheduled to officially join the treaty on that occasion.
In addition, ASEAN adopted the ASEAN Foreign Ministers' Statement on the development of the situation in the Middle East as well as the Guidelines for the ASEAN Engagement Mechanism with the parties to the TAC.
Lazaro said the statement on the Middle East was agreed following escalating conflicts in the region, particularly between the United States and Iran. According to her, the statement proposed by the Philippines as Chair of ASEAN aims to strengthen ASEAN's shared position in maintaining regional peace and stability.
Meanwhile, the engagement guidelines with TAC parties offer a new framework for practical cooperation between ASEAN and treaty-participating countries. These guidelines are expected to promote regional development and economic growth while strengthening political, economic, and sociocultural relations.
The 59th AMM series will continue this week with ASEAN meetings with dialogue partners, ASEAN Plus Three (APT), the ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF), the East Asia Summit (EAS), and the 50th anniversary of the TAC.
Read: China, Philippines Clash Ahead of ASEAN Meeting
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