MANILA: Ukraine is seeking to become an official dialogue partner of Asean by the end of the Philippines’ chairmanship this 2026, Ukrainian Ambassador to the Philippines Yuliia Fediv (pic) said on Friday (Jan 23), Philippine News Agency (PNA) reported.
Fediv said Kyiv is keen to expand its presence in the region and strengthen cooperation with the Philippines and other Asean member states.
"The Ukrainian government has issued a special strategy on Ukraine-Asean relationship. We want to be more present in this part of the world,” she said during the Foreign Service Institute (FSI) Ambassador’s Lecture Series in Pasay.
Ukraine signed the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation (TAC) in 2022, marking its push to formalise engagement with Asean. It later submitted its application to become an Asean Sectoral Dialogue partner.
"We rely on our Filipino friends to support our application for it. Hopefully, at the end of this year, we would get the strategic dialogue partnership with Asean, thanks to the leadership of the Philippines,” Fediv said.
Last year, Malaysia said Asean would review Ukraine’s application, with deliberations to be undertaken at senior officials’ level.
In a text message to the PNA, Foreign Affairs spokesperson for Asean Dominic Xavier Imperial said the application is "still under consideration by the Asean Member States.”
Kyiv, under its Ukraine-Asean strategy, intends to develop "effective cooperation” with the bloc, including on trade, energy, disaster management and culture amid its ongoing conflict with Russia.
Last Monday, Foreign Affairs Secretary Ma. Theresa Lazaro invited Ukraine to take part in this year’s major Asean meetings during a phone call with Ukraine Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha. - Bernama-PNA
