Manila, Jan. 23 -- Ukraine is seeking to become an official dialogue partner of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) by the end of the Philippines' chairship this 2026, Ukrainian Ambassador to the Philippines Yuliia Fediv said on Friday.

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 formalize engagement with ASEAN.

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