28 March 2014 – Turkish Vice Foreign Minister Ali Naci Koru, representing Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu, called on Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert F. del Rosario today to discuss a broad range of issues affecting Philippines-Turkey relations.

During the call, Vice Foreign Minister Koru congratulated the Philippine government and the Filipino people on the historic signing of the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro (CAB) on 27 March 2014 in Malacañang. He said the agreement would lead to enduring peace, stability and development in Mindanao and the rest of the country. Minister Koru reiterated his government’s invitation for Secretary del Rosario to visit Turkey at his most convenient time.

For his part, Secretary del Rosario conveyed his appreciation for Turkey’s steadfast support for the Mindanao peace process. He said Turkey was an active member of the International Contact Group on the GPH-MILF Peace Negotiations. The Secretary also took the opportunity to express the Philippines’ gratitude for Turkey’s assistance to typhoon Yolanda victims, noting in particular that Turkish Deputy Prime Minister Besir Atalay made the turnover of relief goods two days after the super typhoon struck.  

After the call, Vice Foreign Minister Koru and Foreign Service Institute Director Carlos D. Sorreta signed the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for Cooperation between the Department of Foreign Affairs’ Foreign Service Institute and the Diplomacy Academy of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Turkey. The MOU aims to increase the level of interaction and cooperation between the two training institutes, redounding to enhanced bilateral ties. END