ASEAN adds Turkey as dialogue partner as defense, trade ties grow

International relationsWeapons sales, business links secure relationship, with Malaysia named coordinatorTurkish Deputy Foreign Minister Berris Ekinci, right, poses for a photo with Philippine Undersecretary of Foreign Affairs Leo Herrera-Lim and Deputy Secretary-General of ASEAN for Political-Security Community Dato' Astanah Abdul Aziz on July 22. (Anadolu Agency)SINAN TAVSANJuly 27, 2026 23:14 JSTCANAKKALE, Turkey -- ASEAN's decision to admit Turkey as its 12th dialogue partner underscores the country's growing defense industry and trade links to the bloc as the NATO member balances its Western anchor with an expanding Asian presence.