06 August 2015 - Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert F. del Rosario held bilateral talks with Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlüt Cavuşoğlu on the margins of the 48th ASEAN Ministerial Meeting (AMM) – Post Ministerial Conference (PMC) on August 04 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
Secretary Del Rosario said bilateral relations with Turkey had significantly moved forward since the official visit of Turkish Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglo in November 2014. He cited the upcoming Philippines-Turkey Joint Economic Committee Meeting and the 3rd Philippines-Turkey Political Consultations, to be held in September and October 2015, respectively, as indicators of this positive trend
Secretary del Rosario also lauded the signing of the Air Services Agreement between the Philippines and Turkey in 2014 that had since paved the way for direct flights between Manila and Istanbul by Turkish Airlines.
The Secretary conveyed the Philippines’ deep appreciation for Turkey’s assistance for the Mindanao peace process, particularly through the Independent Decommissioning Body (IDB) and the International Contact Group (ICG). Turkey offered US$500,000 to cover the operational costs of the decommissioning body.
The Secretary informed FM Cavuşoğlu of the Philippines’ position on the South China Sea, as well as developments in the arbitration case filed before the Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA) in The Hague, the Netherlands.
FM Cavuşoğlu, in turn, called for increased use of bilateral mechanisms, such as dialogues and high-level visits, to improve bilateral ties. He cited defense cooperation as one area where the two countries could work closely together.
FM Cavuşoğlu confirmed that Turkish International Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TIKA) is keen on increasing development with the Philippines as well as Turkey’s continuing contributions to the Mindanao peace process.
FM Cavuşoğlu conveyed Turkey’s desire for a Dialogue Partnership cooperation status in ASEAN. END