ASEAN foreign ministers welcome new sectoral dialogue partners, treaty parties at 59th ministers’ meeting

The foreign ministers of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) have approved key decisions to deepen the regional bloc’s engagement with the international community during the 59th ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Meeting (AMM), Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) Secretary and AMM Chairperson Ma. Theresa Lazaro said on July 21, 2026.

During a press huddle following the AMM Plenary Session at the Philippine International Convention Center (PICC), Lazaro announced that ASEAN had granted Germany and Qatar Sectoral Dialogue Partner status and formally admitted Türkiye as its 12th Dialogue Partner.

“These developments demonstrate the continued confidence of our partners in ASEAN. We also view this as a positive step in realizing the aspirations laid down in the ASEAN Community Vision 2045,” Lazaro said.

Lazaro stressed that Germany was granted Sectoral Dialogue Partner status in recognition of its longstanding support for ASEAN and readiness to contribute further to ASEAN Community-building.

Qatar, on the other hand, received the same status due to its growing cooperation with ASEAN in diplomacy, development, humanitarian assistance, education, and connectivity, as well as its accession to the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia (TAC), added Lazaro.

During the plenary session, the foreign ministers also expressed full support to the Commemorative Activity of the 50th anniversary of the TAC on July 24, when Poland, Romania, Sweden, and Lithuania are expected to formally accede to the treaty.

In addition, Lazaro said the foreign ministers adopted important outcome documents such as ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Statement on the Evolving Situation in the Middle East and the Guidelines on the Modalities for Engagement of ASEAN with High Contracting Parties to the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia.

“In view of the escalation of conflict in the Middle East, particularly between the United States and Iran and the need to reinforce ASEAN’s collective position in maintaining peace and stability in the region, and as proposed by the Philippines, as the ASEAN Chair, we agreed to issue an ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Statement on the Evolving Situation in the Middle East,” said Lazaro.

The Guidelines, meanwhile, is a landmark document which establishes a framework for practical cooperation between ASEAN and parties to the treaty in support of regional development, economic growth, and stronger political, economic, and socio-cultural relations.

The 59th AMM will continue this week with ASEAN’s engagements with its Dialogue Partners, the ASEAN Plus Three (APT), ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF), East Asia Summit (EAS), and the 50th anniversary commemoration of the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation.