ASEAN, Turkey Agree to Enhance Partnership

Jakarta: ASEAN and Turkey reaffirmed their commitment to further enhance their partnership at the Third Meeting of the ASEAN-Turkey Joint Sectoral Cooperation Committee, held via videoconference on Thursday.

The meeting noted the progress made in ASEAN-Turkey’s cooperation following the inception of the partnership three years ago. 
"ASEAN appreciated Turkey for establishing the ASEAN-Turkey Fund at the ASEAN Secretariat to support the implementation of cooperative activities between the two sides," the ASEAN Secretariat stated in a press release on Friday.

Further, they discussed the completed, ongoing, and planned projects in implementing the ASEAN-Turkey Practical Cooperation Areas for the period 2019-2023.

The meeting also explored opportunities to further enhance cooperation in various areas such as trade and investment; promotion of business-to-business contact; digital skills; addressing money laundering and terrorist financing; agriculture; disaster management;  human development; sustainable development; science and technology; education; tourism; smart cities; renewable energy; and people-to-people contact.

Both sides also deliberated on possible activities in addressing the covid-19 pandemic and its socio-economic impacts. This includes possible support to the ASEAN Covid-19 Response Fund, Regional Reserve of Medical Supplies for Public Emergencies, ASEAN Comprehensive Recovery Framework and its implementation plan.

The Deputy Secretary-General of ASEAN for ASEAN Political-Security Community Hoang Anh Tuan and Ambassador of the Republic of Turkey to ASEAN Mahmut Erol K?l?ç co-chaired the meeting. Members of the Committee of Permanent Representatives to ASEAN were in attendance.

(WAH)