PHL Embassy in Turkey Concludes Successful Chairmanship of ASEAN Committee in Ankara (AAC)
H.E. Ambassador Maria Rowena Mendoza Sanchez hands over the Chairmanship of the ASEAN Committee in Ankara (AAC) to H.E. Ambassador A. Selverajah of Singapore during the 5th AAC Meeting. (Photo courtesy of Mr. Manuel Oira)
21 December 2017 ANKARA — Ambassador Maria Rowena Mendoza Sanchez convened the fifth and last meeting of the ASEAN Committee in Ankara (AAC) under its chairmanship at the Philippine Embassy in Ankara, Turkey on December 19 and presented a recap of its accomplishments from July to December 2017.
Under its chairmanship, the Philippines led the AAC in several landmark events such as the historic meeting with H.E. Mevlut Cavusoglu, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Turkey; the hoisting of the ASEAN Flag to commemorate ASEAN's 50th Anniversary; and launching of the first ASEAN Awareness Week in the National Library of Turkey, comprising of the planting of an ASEAN Tree, the inauguration of the ASEAN Room, launching of the ASEAN@50 Photo Exhibit and the conduct of an ASEAN Reception and Cultural Night.
The Philippines also organized meetings and/or luncheons with various eminent persons in Turkey such as leading academicians and key government officials to further discuss ways to promote and raise the profile of ASEAN in Turkey and vice versa, especially in light of the Turkey's acceptance as ASEAN's latest Sectoral Dialogue Partner, announced during the ASEAN Ministerial Meeting in Manila on August 06. The AAC Heads of Mission also discussed other pending AAC issues as well as relevant developments in Turkey and the region. END
The AAC Heads of Missions, namely: Ms. Osfinita Tahir, Charge d’Affaires, Brunei Darussalam; Mr. Charkrienorrathip Sevikul, Charge d’Affaires, Thailand; H.E. Pham Anh Tuan, Ambassador, Viet Nam, H.E. A. Selverajah, Ambassador, Singapore; H.E. Maria Rowena Mendoza Sanchez, Ambassador, Philippines; H.E. Dato’ Abd Razak Abdul Wahab, Ambassador, Malaysia; and H.E. Wardana, Ambassador, Indonesia pose for a photo during the turnover of the ASEAN Chairmanship from the Philippines to Singapore. (Photo courtesy of Mr. Manuel Oira)
For more information, visit www.ankarape.dfa.gov.ph or https://www.facebook.com/PHinTurkey.