SINGAPORE, 05 July 2025 –  Philippine Ambassador to Singapore H.E. Medardo G. Macaraig welcomed the new Ambassador of the Republic of Türkiye to Singapore,  H.E. Sadik Arslan, during a courtesy call of the latter at the Philippine Embassy on 03 July 2025. Ambassador Arslan presented his credentials to Singaporean President Tharman Shanmugaratnam on 20 May 2025.

The seasoned diplomats, with a combined experience of over sixty years in the foreign service, exchanged personal reflections and professional insights, underscoring the deep camaraderie and mutual respect within the diplomatic corps.

Ambassador Arslan emphasized the importance Türkiye places on its relations with ASEAN, citing the region’s growing strategic and economic significance. He recalled that Türkiye established its very first diplomatic mission in Southeast Asia in 1865 right in Singapore, then a British colony. 

The meeting also underscored the strong and evolving relationship between the Philippines and Türkiye. Ambassador Macaraig noted the Philippines’ commitment to fostering closer ties, evidenced by the presence of its Embassy in Ankara and Consulate General in Istanbul. These missions serve as vital platforms for expanding bilateral cooperation and supporting the growing Filipino community in Türkiye. 

The courtesy call concluded with both Ambassadors expressing a commitment to enhancing Philippine-Turkish bilateral ties, particularly in trade, culture, and people-to-people exchanges. 

Diplomatic relations between the Philippines and Türkiye were formally established with the signing of the Treaty of Friendship on 13 June 1949. This year marks the 76th anniversary of their diplomatic ties (END).