Pasay city: The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) has admitted Trkiye, Germany, and Qatar as its newest dialogue and sectoral dialogue partners. Their admission was announced by Foreign Affairs Secretary Ma. Theresa Lazaro at the conclusion of the 59th ASEAN Foreign Ministers' Meeting (AMM) plenary session in Pasay City.

According to Philippines News Agency, Trkiye becomes ASEAN's 12th dialogue partner, while Germany and Qatar are elevated as sectoral dialogue partners. Secretary Lazaro highlighted that this development demonstrates the continued confidence of ASEAN's partners and marks a positive step toward achieving the aspirations of the ASEAN Community Vision 2045.

ASEAN engages with external partners by granting formal statuses such as dialogue partner (DP), sectoral dialogue partner (SDP), and development partner. In a press briefing, Lazaro noted that Germany's new status as an SDP recognizes its role as a significant external partner to Southeast Asia, having shown readiness to contribute to ASEAN community-building efforts.

The conferment of status to Qatar was due to its expanding engagement with ASEAN through channels such as diplomacy, development, cooperation, and humanitarian assistance. Trkiye, before its elevation as a dialogue partner, had been a sectoral dialogue partner since 2017. The areas of cooperation with Ankara included combating transnational crime, countering terrorism, and addressing issues related to peace, security, governance, human rights, trade, science, and energy security.

ASEAN's member states include Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Timor-Leste, and Vietnam.