Türkiye is expected to expand cooperation with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) in trade, economic relations, the defense industry and energy after becoming a "dialogue partner" of the regional bloc.
According to information compiled by Anadolu Agency (AA), Türkiye was granted dialogue partner status at the 59th ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in Manila, the capital of the Philippines.
The move, considered politically and diplomatically significant, is expected to mark a new chapter in Türkiye’s relations with the region, which has a population of nearly 700 million and an economy worth more than $4 trillion.
ASEAN comprises 11 member states: Indonesia, the Philippines, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam, Brunei, Laos, Myanmar, Cambodia and Timor-Leste.
Türkiye’s exports to ASEAN member states increased 17.1% from $2.4 billion in 2021 to $2.8 billion in 2025. Exports to the bloc totaled $1.2 billion in the first five months of this year.
