Turkey eyes enhanced trade, defense with Philippines

Turkish foreign minister meets his Philippine counterpart Teodoro Locsin as part of ASEAN meeting

By Nilay Kar Onum

ISTANBUL (AA) - Turkey is looking to increase trade volume and defense industry cooperation with the Philippines, said the country’s foreign minister on Tuesday.

Mevlut Cavusoglu held bilateral talks with his Philippine counterpart Teodoro Locsin Jr as part of the 52nd Foreign Ministers' Meeting of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) in Thailand’s capital of Bangkok.

In a tweet, Cavusoglu said: “Started bilaterals during #ASEAN w/FM Teodoro Locsin Jr. of the Philippines."

"On 70th anniversary of #Turkey-#Philippines diplomatic relations, aim to increase trade volume&defense industry cooperation. Will continue contributing to the Philippines peace process," he added.

ASEAN was formed in 1967 by Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore and Thailand in Bangkok and was later joined by five other countries.

Turkey was granted the status of Sectoral Dialogue Partner in 2017.

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