What Turkey’s upgrade to Asean dialogue partner status means
Turkey’s ascension to Asean dialogue partner marks the west Asian country’s bid to position itself as a middle power, according to analysts. The upgrade on July 21 breaks an Association of Southeast Asian Nations moratorium in place since the UK’s admission in 2021. Turkey joins the US, China, Russia, Britain, Australia, Japan and South Korea. In a social media post on the same day, Turkish…
Turkey's elevation to Asean dialogue partner status, effective July 21, marks the country's aspiration to establish itself as a middle power in global affairs. This development comes after a long-standing moratorium on Asean's dialogue partner status, which was lifted to accommodate Turkey's growing cooperation. Currently, Turkey joins the United States, China, Russia, Britain, Australia, Japan, and South Korea in this exclusive group.
Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan announced a significant increase in trade volume, rising from US$6.5 billion to US$16 billion, since the beginning of Turkish-Asean relations in 2010.
Turkey's ties with Asean began in 2010 with the signing of the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation, later upgraded to sectoral dialogue partner status in 2017. The nation benefits from strong trading relationships, particularly with Malaysia, Vietnam, Indonesia, Thailand, and Singapore. Ankara has also witnessed an expansion in defense and trade ties with other Asean countries, having supplied advanced weapons systems to several members.
Analysts view Turkey's actions as a reflection of its role as a growing middle power, striving for a strategic balance in a rapidly changing global landscape. Mehmet Salah Devrim, a researcher at the SETA Foundation, highlights the importance of Turkey's self-perception as a bridge between continents and people in shaping its foreign policy. However, converting this perception into tangible policy requires consistent engagement, adherence to consensus-based institutional culture, and funding of concrete projects.
The decision to elevate Turkey's status as an Asean dialogue partner is seen by observers as a natural continuation of the relationship that had been strengthening since 2010. It is not perceived as a new beginning, but rather an acknowledgment of a maturing relationship. Turkey's elevation offers a unique opportunity for the country to engage in a broader agenda, moving beyond transactional trade and towards joint ventures, industrial partnerships, and multilateral cooperation.
Written by urgent.news from South China Morning Post's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
