04February 2014- In simple turnover ceremonies at the Philippine Embassy in Ankara, Philippine Ambassador to Turkey Maria Rowena Mendoza Sanchez turned over the Chairmanship of the ASEAN Ankara Committee (AAC) to Singapore’s Charge d’ Affaires (CDA), Ms. Lorling Lee on January 31, 2014. The Philippine Embassy was AAC Chair from January 28, 2013 to January 31, 2014.
Ambassador Sanchez conveyed that in a meeting with Ambassador Ersin Ercin, Director General of the new Asia-Pacific Countries Directorate of the Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs, he reiterated his country’s hopes of developing even closer relation with ASEAN.
Ambassador Sanchez also reported that the AAC was highly successful in organizing and implementing three major activities for 2013, namely: 1) A Breakfast Reception to Commemorate the 46th Anniversary of the ASEAN, held on August 29, 2013; 2) The 2nd ASEAN Diplomats Friendly Bowling Tournament, held on September 14, 2013, the first two events coordinated by the Philippines; and 3) The 1st ASEAN Table Tennis Tournament, held on September 21, 2013, coordinated by the Malaysian Embassy).
Other AAC Heads of Missions and CDAs who participated in the luncheon and turnover ceremonies were Indonesian Ambassador Nahari Agustini, Malaysian Ambassador-designate Amran Mohammed Zin, Vietnamese Ambassador Nguyen The Cuong, Mr. Somphong Kangthong, Minister Counsellor of the Royal Thai Embassy and Ms. Offlinta Tahir, Second Secretary.
Philippine Minister and Consul General Robert Ferrer joined the AAC Special Working Group Members, namely Second Secretary and Consul Leilani S. Feliciano of the Philippine Embassy, Minister Counsellor Yante Yazid of the Malaysian Embassy, Minister Counsellor Muhammed Ichsan of the Indonesian Embassy, First Secretary Darrell Leong of Singapore Embassy and Second Secretary Nattachai Powchaoren of the Royal Thai Embassy.
In response, Singapore CDA Lee noted that she looks forward to strengthening AAC ties by organizing more activities for 2014 with all AAC members. END