Kuala lumpur: ASEAN member states have agreed for Malaysia to become the country coordinator for ASEAN-Turkiye relations, following the regional bloc's decision to accept Turkiye as a new Dialogue Partner, announced Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, both decisions were reached during the plenary session held in conjunction with the 59th ASEAN Foreign Ministers' Meeting (AMM) and Post-Ministerial Conference (PMC), as well as related meetings. Malaysia, as the ASEAN Chair in 2025, had proposed that Turkiye be admitted as an ASEAN Dialogue Partner.

Mohamad expressed welcome to Turkiye as ASEAN's new Dialogue Partner, highlighting Malaysia's role in the process. He noted that the proposal was initially accepted when Malaysia held the ASEAN Chair and was thoroughly examined at various levels, including the secretariat, foreign ministers, and officials.

He emphasized that stringent conditions were set for accepting new members or Dialogue Partners, and all ASEAN countries agreed with the established criteria. The plenary session, chaired by Philippine Foreign Affairs Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro, also saw ASEAN agreeing to accept the United Kingdom as a new member of the ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF).

Discussions during the session also focused on the role of ASEAN member states in strengthening the ASEAN Community Vision 2045. ASEAN Secretary-General Dr. Kao Kim Hourn presented the latest updates on the ASEAN Vision 2045 developments.

Mohamad further elaborated on ASEAN's role in navigating a challenging geopolitical and geo-economic landscape, emphasizing the importance of safeguarding ASEAN centrality as a core strength. He stressed the need to preserve this centrality to prevent any efforts to undermine it.