PH Ambassador Discusses PH-Turkey Relations in Farewell Call on Turkish FM

Ambassador to Turkey Maria Rowena Mendoza Sanchez (left) with Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu (right) at the Turkish Foreign Minister’s Official Residence in Ankara on 10 December 2018. (MFA Turkey photo)

ANKARA 21 December 2018 – Ambassador to Turkey Maria Rowena Mendoza Sanchez paid her farewell call on Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu at the latter’s official residence in Ankara on 10 December 2018.

During the call, Foreign Minister Çavuşoğlu thanked the Philippine Government and the Philippine Embassy in Ankara for the active support and cooperation towards closer engagement with Turkey.

He recalled his visit to Manila in August 2017, which he described as “historical”, as Turkey became ASEAN’s Dialogue Sectoral Partner with the Philippines as the Chair of ASEAN during that year.

Minister Çavuşoğlu recognized the significant progress in Philippines and Turkey bilateral relations and encouraged both sides to continue to work together especially with the 70th anniversary of diplomatic ties in 2019. He also reaffirmed Turkey’s continued commitment to support the peace process in the Philippines.

Ambassador Sanchez highlighted the most recent significant developments in the bilateral relations, including the inaugural Philippines-Turkey Joint Commission for Economic and Technical Cooperation in February 2018. She cited the discussions for the expansion of trade and investment ties with the target of US$1 billion for 2020.

It is expected that the trade target would be possibly reached as early as next year given the increasing cooperation in defense. Other areas of cooperation are in culture, agricultrue, tourism, and education.

Both sides also discussed the importance of continued exchanges including visits at the highest possible levels, particularly next year as the Philippines and Turkey celebrate 70 years of friendship with the establishment of official diplomatic relations on 13 June 1949. END

Ambassador to Turkey Maria Rowena Mendoza Sanchez (left) presents to Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu (right) a Philippine souvenir item made of capiz shells. (Ankara PE photo)

For more information, visit www.ankarape.dfa.gov.ph or https://www.facebook.com/PHinTurkey.