The foreign ministers of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) have approved major decisions to deepen the regional bloc’s international engagements, granting new partnership statuses and addressing critical global security issues during the 59th ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Meeting (AMM) at the Philippine International Convention Center (PICC).
Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) Secretary and AMM Chairperson Ma. Theresa Lazaro announced the diplomatic milestones following the AMM Plenary Session.
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New Dialogue Partner: Türkiye was formally admitted as ASEAN’s 12th Dialogue Partner.
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Sectoral Dialogue Partners: Germany and Qatar were officially granted Sectoral Dialogue Partner status.
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Germany was recognized for its longstanding support and commitment to ASEAN Community-building.
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Qatar was acknowledged for its growing cooperation in diplomacy, development, humanitarian assistance, education, and connectivity, alongside its accession to the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia (TAC). “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,” Ma. Theresa Lazaro, DFA Secretary and AMM Chairperson.
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The foreign ministers adopted two landmark outcome documents aimed at strengthening regional governance and international cooperation:
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ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Statement on the Evolving Situation in the Middle East: Proposed by the Philippines as ASEAN Chair, this statement reinforces ASEAN’s collective position on maintaining peace and stability amid escalating tensions, particularly between the United States and Iran.
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Guidelines on the Modalities for Engagement of ASEAN with High Contracting Parties to the TAC: A foundational framework designed to foster practical cooperation between ASEAN and treaty signatories across economic, political, and socio-cultural sectors.
Looking ahead, the ministers expressed full support for the TAC 50th Anniversary Commemorative Activity scheduled for July 24. During the event, Poland, Romania, Sweden, and Lithuania are expected to formally accede to the treaty.
The 59th AMM will continue throughout the week with scheduled engagements involving ASEAN’s Dialogue Partners, the ASEAN Plus Three (APT), the ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF), and the East Asia Summit (EAS).
